Nothing

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I have wrestled through the night after a packed church gave voice to highly charged emotions and views of guns in America. I’m asking how in the world we move forward…together…and confess: I don’t know. I just know that we have to try. But I’m weary this morning. I have no answers. This poem could not have arrived at a better time.

Nothing

I have nothing…

nada…zilch…zero…

no thoughts, no ideas,

no inspiration.

 

Worse, only clichés

crowd my mind:

stock images,

standard phrases,

or remembered words

wielded by real writers.

 

Feeling only frustration,

tempted by alliteration,

or worse, rhyme…

Theft?

Is it worse to plagiarize 

than to leave a blank page?

– Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL Feb. 6, 2013

It occurred to me that we’re not alone.

Ecce Homo - "Here is the Man" Albrecht Durer

“Ecce Homo” Albrecht Durer

13 thoughts on “Nothing”

  2. With the parking lot over full and overflowing, I went back home last night…Probably well for my peace of mind.., but sometimes the unwarranted paranoia, and the unwillingness to dislodge oneself from the unreasoned clinging to positions regardless of facts. can be scary to others….. It so often is an ‘all about me’, inward looking. Now punctuate this however you will…

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    • Karin, I understand. “sometimes the unwarranted paranoia, and the unwillingness to dislodge oneself from the unreasoned clinging to positions regardless of facts. can be scary to others…” The purpose of the Dialogues is just what it’s title implies. There were points of view expressed powerfully, but not all points of view were really heard because of agendas that can not listen to a different voice. Several people who came on Tuesday sought me out to say didn’t think they wanted to submit themselves to a second round of disrespect. For the sake of your spirit, I’m sorry the full parking lot and lined streets kept you away. On the other hand, some of what happened would have been toxic to your soul. Grace and Peace, Gordon

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      • It was in more of a physical self-preservation state, that I went home – I did not want to risk walking any distance on the street, and was not feeling my best. Figured my seat could probably be better used by someone else. I heard a bit of Kathy’s story and the response to it (which seemed totally ridiculous to me – the response that is) and would like to hear more of it at some other point in time. Thank you Gordon and Robert. Will hopefully be at one or both of the next. ones, if the vacation schedule Don set up doesn’t conflict…

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    • Karin: It was good for your humane aura to miss the event. It was painful, yet I smiled quite a lot. I loved the music. I thought that introductions were excellent. The welcome to the church was elegant. And, I think the evening was like a large steam valve relieving pressure. I walked out early… because I could. Can you imagine what it was like for heroes MLK, Nelson Mandela, Paul Robeson, Gandhi… and that hero of Christianity, to endure angry gatherings, and carry on? Cheers to those who carry on.

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      • Robert, you’re a generous, courageous, and gentle man. It was only after the event that I heard Kathy’s story. I was too busy trying to quiet those who tried to silence her voice. I want you and Kathy to know that a participant who came because of his strength of views against gun-control sought me out to thank us for holding the event AND to share that he could not understand “how anyone could not have compassion for the woman whose pain was so deep.” He was appalled. I’m in the midst of deciding where we go from here with the next event. Thank you again for your support of the Dialogues and the spirit of open exchange in a respectful place.

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