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All God's Creatures

The word "cross" reminds me of last evening.
Thirty five men assembled in a choir.
Coming together from along a river valley.
The Finn Valley Men's choir. 

No ordinary get together this.
A peace initiative funded by
powers that be in Europe.
Cross border and cross religion.
Protestants and Catholics. 

Centuries of division not cast aside
but soothed in song. So fine to 
see them all in tune, no way to know
in which church they were baptised. 
All God's creatures.

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Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 3/4/2019 12:02:00 AM

- A congratulations for your great winning poem, Jean :) - "The word cross can mean many things", it's really true :) - So many different suggestions :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Jean Murray
Date: 3/4/2019 4:50:00 AM

My middle child Cora left for Canada on a two year work visa yesterday Anne-Lise. It's been a bit hectic here but now I will have more time to "check out the competition".

Jan Allison

Date: 3/3/2019 4:54:00 PM

what a way to unite people with uplifting voices jean, lets get the whole world singing! congrats on your win:-) hugs Jan xx

Jean Murray
Date: 3/3/2019 5:38:00 PM

Thank you Jan. Do you know the song? I know The Clancy Brothers did a version. I must look for it on YouTube.

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 3/3/2019 12:30:00 PM

How wonderful it is to hear of people of different faiths worshiping together in song, Jean! Surely, God would have wanted it this way. Beautifully written! With many outstanding entries, judging was difficult (again). Congratulations on a second-place win! And thank you for supporting the contest. Best wishes, Carolyn

Jean Murray
Date: 3/3/2019 2:14:00 PM

Gosh, Carolyn thank you for such high placement. I'm so glad you liked it.

Arturo Michael

Date: 2/28/2019 6:36:00 PM

And beautiful they are...a wonderful message...

Jean Murray
Date: 2/28/2019 6:40:00 PM

Hi Arturo. There is a song.."All God's creatures have a place in the choir. Some sing lower and some sing higher. Some sing out loud on the telephone wire. We all just clap our hands Lord." It's well known it this part of the world. Nice to see you.

Jessica Renee Dawson

Date: 2/28/2019 5:48:00 PM

A lovely thought and reminds me of the verses, 1 Corinthians 1:12-17, where Paul is talking about people exulting themselves because of who has baptized them! If we try we can focus on what we share and we'll see we're more alike than we know. Thank you for sharing your poem!

Jean Murray
Date: 2/28/2019 6:05:00 PM

Thank you J.R. for taking the time to comment. Although close to the border of Northern Ireland I grew up largely unaware and unaffected by The Troubles. It's only now I understand the horror of it. Long may peace last.