Stephen Gill Wishes a Merry X-mas & Happy New Year
I wish my friends my best wishes for the New Year, although it is not easy to celebrate the emergence of 2015 in the true spirit of peace because of the obvious clash of two cultures. It is a time to reflect for a meaningful dawn to save the citizens of the global village from further torture in the name of God who is the embodiment of peace. Peace through peaceful means is the way to produce a symphony of human hearts and the way to survive and prosper in the complex world of today.
- Stephen Gill
X'MAS SPIRIT
I see her resurrecting in Christmas trees
mistletoe and Santa Claus.
I see her appearing
within the decoration in churches
homes and offices
in parties, family reunions
and drinks.
I see her
in the festive rush that is tiring
and cards
which people have no time to send
but they do.
I see her
in the sounds of the Joy
to the World
and Jingle Bells
cranked out of loudspeakers
in malls and street corners.
She is missing
from the victims of wars
which seem to be routine fate
of humankind.
She is missing from young lives
who have lost parents
to the famished beasts of fanatics.
She is missing
from the sufferers of physical
and psychological abuse.
She is missing
from the lives deprived of basic food,
clean water and warm clothing.
She is missing
from homes fallen to warfare
and children who are innocent bait
for Aids and cancer.
==============================
ON THE NEW YEAR
What then
if it is a New Year
This day is the same
as any other day of last week
even last year.
The wilful ghosts of sorrow
have not dissolved
nor have the fogs of ignorance
which float over the cold tombs.
Rather,
they have grown in strength
in the gloom of violence.
If nights were replaced by days
just by thinking,
the corners of darkness
would have been lit by now.
Eaters of stale crumbs
in the mornings
should have been welcomed
by the appetizing smells
of fresh and warm foods.
The hours of suffering
would have been reduced,
joys lasted longer
and lives changed.
When this sun does not surge
it does not matter
what year or date it is
Just by the murmurs of the clock
history does not alter,
life will not wear
another mantle;
only calendars become new.
Some cards are traded
feasts are arranged.
This is not a change.
[StephenGill (Dr.), Box 32, Cornwall, Ont. K6H 5R9 Canada]