Category Archives: humanity

this wall

Posted on by
6

can you imagine
a wall that keeps us apart
when we stand so near

Berlin wall 1

In 1982, I visited the Berlin Wall that separated West Berlin from East Germany. The original wall was erected unannounced in the dead of night on August 13, 1961. Where the day before, one might walk across the street to visit a neighbor, friend or relative, now they were separated by an impenetrable wall, and remained thus separated for decades.

The original wall consisted of concrete posts and barbed wire. When I saw the wall in ’82, it was in its fourth configuration, 12 feet high and four feet across, with an additional inner wall, anti-vehicle trenches, watchtowers, electrical fences, guard dogs and mine fields.

Berlin wall 3

Berlin Wall, 1961-1989

Berlin wall 2

Berlin Wall, 1961-1989

On June 12, 1987, President Ronald Reagan stood at the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin, and — in a now famous speech — challenged Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to “open this gate… tear down this wall.”

The wall came down in November of 1989.

 

history teaches
if we but open our minds
better yet, our hearts

The Daily Post one-word prompt: Inscrutable
Cee’s Black & White photo challenge: Walls

One Spoke

Posted on by
25

spokes

I am but one spoke in the wheel.
I carry only a small portion of the load.
The wheel could function without me.
It sustains itself as a whole.

I am but one spoke in the wheel.
I do my part.
I carry my share of the load.
I hold strong.

We are but spokes in a wheel.
We support one another.
We rely on one another.
We work together to carry a load that
none of us could sustain on our own.

Without each spoke,
the wheel weakens.
Without us all, the wheel would collapse.
The vehicle’s motion would cease.

We cannot steer the vehicle.
We must rely on other mechanisms to
choose our direction.
We must trust in others, as others trust in us.

Together, in faith, we make the journey.

spokes2

The Daily Post weekly photo challenge: Weathered

tenacity

Posted on by
1

Sometimes growth isn’t about new beginnings and fresh starts.
Sometimes it’s about perseverance through tough times,
when stagnation would be so much easier;
giving up easier still.

Sometimes growth comes with refusing to wilt.

growth4

The Daily Post weekly photo challenge: Growth

in honor

Posted on by
6

dad army (2)

You look so young
smiling nervously for the camera
quite handsome in your new uniform

A farm boy called to fight in a war
a world away from the Oklahoma crossroads
where you grew up

You told us about the time
you got shot in the arm
You said the nurse was really nice and
the needle didn’t hurt too much

We laughed at your joke
but knew you escaped heavy combat
only by a twist of fate
and a revised timetable

You came home and raised a family and
taught us to appreciate life
No lectures; you taught by example

We learned civics and civility and
truthfulness and trustworthiness
We learned to honor the honorable
and to try… try… not to judge

I’m not the most stalwart patriot
but I cry at parades
when the flag bearers pass by
in their crisp uniforms

flag3

and I hold my hand over my heart
in respect for the flag, and I
remember that some fathers or mothers,
sisters or brothers, sons or daughters
didn’t come home

and I vow to raise my family, and
teach them civics and civility and
truthfulness and trustworthiness

… and honor

flag4

A Photo I Wish Didn’t Exist ~ Repost

Posted on by
5

I am reposting this important photo because the original post cut off the message of the photographer, Justin Hofman. Please read his comments below.

justin hofman

This photo was posted by photographer Justin Hofman on Instagram, with permission to share.

Justin writes:

“It’s a photo that I wish didn’t exist but now that it does I want everyone to see it. What started as an opportunity to photograph a cute little sea horse turned into one of frustration and sadness as the incoming tide brought with it countless pieces of trash and sewage. This sea horse drifts long with the trash day in and day out as it rides the currents that flow along the Indonesian archipelago.

“It’s a photo that I wish didn’t exist but now that it does I want everyone to see it.”

~ Justin Hofman, photographer

“This photo serves as an allegory for the current and future state of our oceans. What sort of future are we creating? How can your actions shape our planet?

“Thanks to @eyosexpeditions for getting me there and to @nhm_wpy and @sea_legacy for getting this photo in front of as many eyes as possible. Go to @sea_legacy to see how you can make a difference. ”

 

A Photo I Wish Didn’t Exist

Posted on by
Reply

justin hofman

This photo was posted by photographer Justin Hofman on Instagram, with permission to share.

Justin writes:

“It’s a photo that I wish didn’t exist but now that it does I want everyone to see it. What started as an opportunity to photograph a cute little sea horse turned into one of frustration and sadness as the incoming tide brought with it countless pieces of trash and sewage. This sea horse drifts long with the trash day in and day out as it rides the currents that flow along the Indonesian archipelago.

“It’s a photo that I wish didn’t exist but now that it does I want everyone to see it.”

~ Justin Hofman, photographer

“This photo serves as an allegory for the current and future state of our oceans. What sort of future are we creating? How can your actions shape our planet?

“Thanks to @eyosexpeditions for getting me there and to @nhm_wpy and @sea_legacy for getting this photo in front of as many eyes as possible. Go to @sea_legacy to see how you can make a difference. ”