Poems for the Resistance
Some recent words you may have missed
No Commentary Needed
Today’s lectionary scriptures
Included a
“Prayer for deliverance from slanderers.” *
That’ll preach. **
Amy Vaughan
February 17 2025
*Subtitle from the New Revised Standard Version Updated Version
**Psalm 120
(The Message translation)
I’m in trouble. I cry to God,
desperate for an answer:
“Deliver me from the liars, God!
They smile so sweetly but lie through their teeth.”
Do you know what’s next, can you see what’s coming,
all you bold-faced liars?
Pointed arrows and burning coals
will be your reward.
I’m doomed to live in Meshech,
cursed with a home in Kedar,
My whole life lived camping
among quarreling neighbors.
I’m all for peace, but the minute
I tell them so, they go to war!
Keep Driving * It seemed to happen with no warning, As we drove along the way. Sunny outside, Not a care in the world, But perhaps we missed a sign, A warning, a fork in the road. And so, when the crash seemed Imminent, My instinct was to take my hands Off the wheel, And cover my eyes So I would be spared, At least, Seeing the coming crash The plunge off the unexpected cliff. But I didn’t. I needed to keep my wits about me, Figure out how to steer us Away from the cliff, Keeping my eyes wide open, In order to avoid disaster. And so it is in this moment. Perhaps we missed the signs, The warnings, the unexpected fork in the road. Don’t take your hands off the wheel. We can still steer away from the cliff, Press the brakes, Stop the catastrophe. Make the calls, Write the emails. Go to the town hall meetings. Talk to your neighbors. With calm and consistent Resistance, The voices of many, We can drive to safety. Don’t look away. Don’t take your hands off the wheel. Don’t think it won’t happen if you Ignore it. Keep driving. Amy Vaughan February 19 2025 *Inspiration from something Heather Cox Richardson said
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion On this snow day, I am reminded of the snowflakes, Each distinct, each a different shape. Humidity, vapour, How these hexagonal beauties Take shape Influenced by the air Around them, They evolve into Unique forms. Beauty lives in this diversity, Each one a work of art. ----- Nature abhors monocultures. Humans want to line cornfields up In perfect rows, Pine trees in a even grid, Manicured and shaped lawns, All happen because of human intervention. The very diversity we find in nature Makes not just for beauty, Like the snowflake, But plants resilient against Pests, disease, and drought. Biodiversity holds the key To stronger and healthier outcomes. --- As I think of equity in growing things I remember that if I fail to water All my plants, If I miss a container, That tomato plant, That zinnia, Will wither and die. Sometimes equity means also Understanding and meeting the diverse Needs of each plant, in fact, each animal, too. ---- I also learned from my parents, Master gardeners, About things like companion planting. Some species grow better together, And help fend off pests, While also sharing resources Mutually beneficial. This selective inclusivity This part of biodiversity, Means not a uniform blend of all, But a tapestry holding different patterns Where flora and fauna Thrive under varying conditions. Inclusive ecosystems are mutually Supportive, Although there is diversity in them, As well. And so, here we have it, Diversity Equity Inclusion. Who are we to argue with The wonderful, beautiful Mutually sustainable Systems of the natural world? Who indeed? Amy Vaughan February 20 2025
Facing the Paradox of Intolerance To all the bullies I have known and tried to love: When you said that thing that caused me pain, I shrank back in horror, Not knowing how to react to such a harsh, personal attack. When you made me feel small, Or out of place, Or called me an abomination, I felt the blood rush to my head, And my fists clenched. Had I known how, I would have delivered a Felling blow. When you took away my sense Of dignity, And made fun of me, Made others, Also afraid of you, Laugh nervously. I fled, And cried out of your sight. When you came after my reputation, After my sense of worth, Attacking me based on Rumors, appearances, My lack of confidence, My body stiffened in anger, Anger that had nowhere to go. Well, guess what? I am done with all of that, The anger, The shame, The abject sense of unworthiness. You no longer get what you want, A reaction. Instead, I look at you, And wonder, Who hurt you so badly? Even though it is hard to see it, I know that behind your bravado Is someone who has been hurt, too. Someone who only knows how to hurt others, Because of their own deep wounds. I will no longer accept your bad behavior, Even as I understand it better. I am breaking that chain, Cutting the links that bind us. I am standing between you And the harm you cause others. My protection? The source of my bravery. It may be unfamiliar to you, Something you have never Truly experienced. I am choosing to offer you Love. Forgiveness, even. And prayer. May this balm cure the ache In which you live, Or at least, Give you a reason To move past your own anger. Amy Vaughan February 21 2025
A Bastardized Blessing He came down After flying in Air Force One Over the Gulf of America, And purveyed all that area, Wishing that the multitudes Who adored him Were really with him. They come to follow, To hear, To bow before him Because they want Their “fair” share And want the good ole days Back when all the power Rested in the golden image - The white man. All try to garner his attention To say things that please him, To agree even with the most outrageous Of his decrees, For they want a piece of the blessing. He looks at all of them, Eyes darting and narrowed, And, since he has their attention, He proclaims: Blessed are you who are wealthy For you have proven you are successful In earthly goods, whether you earned them Or they are your birthright. This earth, this time, is your kingdom, But really, just a small part of my kingdom. Blessed are you who never worry About an empty belly, Or about your own children starving. You can laugh now, But you may be weeping later. Blessed are you in how You target your hate, How you exclude, How you claim the name Of Christian, While being anything but. Rejoice now, For there may be Hell to pay later on. It doesn’t matter how you Treat people, Say that quick, three times, Or until you believe it. Woe to you who have little, For you will have that much less. Your consolation has been sold To the highest bidder. Woe to you who are hungry, For you will never be full. Woe to you who cry out for Justice, for your tears Fall on deaf ears. Woe to you, False prophets, Who live on the praise Of others. It is the little people you trample, Who will be denied any truth. The truth is what you say it is. Woe to anyone Who argues the opposite, Politicians will be primaried, Hungry people will starve, Diseases will never be cured, Felons will roam the streets, For they have been pardoned, People we hate will be Wiped off the face of the earth, Or at least be dismissed And diminished Until the last one Climbs back under The rock On which you now stand. Amy Vaughan February 12 2025 *based on the misinterpretation of Luke 6: 17-25