Editorial, Winter 2005 issue of PAGES:
"Looking Around Me"
Sweet Revenge: Seventy Times Seven — Joe Hertzler
The savage adage of eye for eye
of tooth for tooth is
the recipe for a sightless society
a toothless mouthful
begging to give, to receive mutilation
an entire population eating grits
a diet of water and cornbread crusts
unable to gum their way through prime rib
or read statements of justice without squinting
like military brass and prison wardens
the self-righteous claim twenty-twenty vision
the ability to eat beef-jerky without swallowing
who then is left to incarcerate
who left to count
three times you're out
throw away the keys
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
This little poem speaks loudly as our country
exchanges blows to win a point. This goes on as bitter
losses from a human-made war divert energy and resources
needed during an onslaught of cosmic pain from the
tsunami and mudslides.
Billions and billions spent by our own privileged
nation for the violent containment of violence.
Our country's leaders offer sunny scenarios of a
world conquered for democracy, when we know full well
the sightless and toothless survivors will not see or savor it.
These billions are needed for building, planting, serving,
feeding, clothing, teaching - "binding up of wounds."
A sermon I heard during a holiday Sunday
worship urged us to celebrate a "defiant Christmas" - what
a concept! It seems especially challenging in the midst of
celebrating family, friends, dearly loved colleagues - and
"the birth."
The God of Light and Peace loved us enough to
offer forgiveness and grace "to the whole world" in Jesus.
Do we believe it? Let us choose to live this way!
It will mean dividing our resources, demonstrating
healing and hope, defying fear and "sweet revenge."
— Helen L. Lapp
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