I'm like a pencil;
sometimes sharp,
most days
well-rounded,
other times
dull or
occasionally
broken.
Still I write.
j.g. lewis
is a writer/photographer in Toronto.
Month: October 2018
And how would it feel if it happened to you?
Would it, or could it, alter your point of view?
It is not, clearly, all black and white.
Through murky shades of grey we wander,
or trespass, across the lives of others.
Shouldn’t all human beings have human rights?
History; a planet rife with examples of abuse.
Anti-Semitism, tongue-in-cheek criticism,
revealing more truth than dare. Ignorance.
Insults uttered without conscience or care.
A sad state. I cannot contemplate
moral devastation, in other nations, but I must.
It is where we live.
This globalization, this imbalance, this hatred
rooted in religion, race, gender identity, or disability.
Discrimination. Disgrace.
When does hate speech become free speech?
Who will decide, who will judge, those who
blame and shame others, unknown
and unknowing.
Imbalance, injustice. Hallow eyes do not trust us
when we are all one; aren’t we? Do you see?
Is that not what you believe?
Shouldn’t all human beings
have human rights?
Let your voice rise above red-hot rhetoric, and
assaultive language. Be honest. Be humble
Speak out for those who cannot speak up for themselves
for one day you may find yourself among them.
Who, then, will stand up for you?
© 2018 j.g. lewis
Posted on October 30, 2018 by j.g.lewisLeave a comment
We all have struggles, and
flaws, difficulties, direction,
and dilemmas.
Not all of us have
the ability to deal with
circumstances or conditions
others may encounter.
We can try.
We can even accommodate,
often, if we have an open mind.
Sometimes we can even accept,
but
acceptance
is not
understanding.
Acceptance is a good thing;
maybe that is the least
we can strive for. Wouldn’t
a sense of understanding
go a lot further?
Everybody, at some time, is
going through something.
We cannot know the battle
someone else is facing, and
accepting things as they are
can make life
a little easier.
But wouldn’t trying
to understand
make it easier for everyone?
10/20/2018 j.g.l.
Posted on October 29, 2018 by j.g.lewisLeave a comment
What we leave behind is a reflection of who we are.
Each of us scatters bits and pieces — tangible or otherwise — along the roadside, impacting the lives of so many other people. Poetry or pop bottles, love notes or legislation, debate or deaf messages; every act or action leaves some kind of a mark.
This residue becomes our reality. Not all of it is good.
We simply cannot continue consuming and assuming everything will be okay.
We have a choice to let it remain, or to clean up after ourselves.
It’s messy.
Things are getting out of hand; it has been that way for quite some time.
Each of us has a responsibility to make this world a better place. Individually, and together, we’ve got a hell of a lot of work to do.
However, we need to be realistic. It can’t happen all it once (it has taken years to arrive at this state), but consistent, incremental action can halt, if not reverse, this devastation.
Are you up to the challenge?
10/29/2018 j.g.l.
