Us and Them We Are One

I was listening to various people talk about the Israel versus Palestine events and it saddened me that we are in 2023 and humans have not learned the lessons of the past. It's easy for anyone to give advice but so difficult for us to take it. Peace does start with each of us but it can feel impossible to think or feel anything remotely peaceful when we're killing each other for whatever reason. Humans can always justify their behaviour with a chosen dogmatic logic. But ultimately, there are so many grieving families of loved ones lost. It really isn't about "Us" and "Them". Because somewhere along the line, we will realise that "We are One". And when we harm another, we are harming ourselves. I am not here to speak to the politics of this situation except to say that if we can't reach peaceful resolutions and do eventually choose war, that war should be fought by soldiers and not civilians. War is not a video game. Real people die and real people are left mourning in the wake of these tragedies. Us and Them (We are One) By Michelle Morris 10/10/2023 Today I heard someone cry So much sorrow for the ones who've died The politicians and ideologues All point at each other in this fog Of war and strife and hate and hurt Where children die, lying in the dirt And mothers cry and rage and scream At our God above who sees all meaning But here we in meaninglessness stir Surrendering our humanity and mercy Compassion and intellectual cognition Rational thought, emotions and feelings Us and Them becomes that stance Despite only Darkness doing a victory dance While blood and bone and faith and tears Are smashed and burned and shot with fears When soldiers aim at young and old Instead of fighting with integrity and knowing Acting like war is a video game Instead of the reality of real people in pain We are One is a cruel, slow lesson For humanity turns power into obsession But peace is the Truth that in all hearts dwell We need only allow our Souls to tell So, leave the war to those who choose Follow integrity and good rules Because Justice may be blind But Karma is a fiend in time And even if men refuse to learn The history lessons shaped and spurned Us and Them will continue to be A line drawn by those in powerful seats © Michelle Morris, 2023