Verie Sandborg

Verie,

Thank you for your poems of peace. As a Friend (Quaker) they touch me deeply. I am new to this site and have shared several poems but without comments or anyone viewing them so I have sent this to you directly.

Never has there been a time,
When generals, politicians, citizens and priests,
Have not proclaimed their love of peace,
The peace that is the heart of their religion’s cause,
Whether Moslem, Jew or follower of Christ,
They all unite for peace with pious certainty,
Despite the truth of lust made manifest,
In every celebration of the fruits of war;
The glorious heroes, the flags, the blood and sacrifice,
The righteous cause, the martyrs and the patriots,
Each conspire to justify the sacred ends,
While corpses litter time and history,
In silent witness to the universal love of peace.

But still, a hidden remnant gathers quietly,
In the presence of a light unchangeable, divine,
That utterly denies the arms of war,
They walk across the earth with joy,
And offer love unqualified, as friends
And children of the Light.

Don Badgley-May 12, 2009

The Market Square tree removal is part of a general renovation project. I agree in principle that the area could use renovation, but this isn't a good way to start. (The timing is odd too, with scads of other construction projects disrupting downtown and the G20 coming here in a month to boot...)

Verie, you will be happy to know there are several Open Days programs in the Chicago area.

See the listings for June 28 for starters, or check the complete schedule at http://gardenconservancy.org/opendays/

I always love hearing about your travels to faraway places.

glitter-graphics.com

Hi Verie. I just wanted to say thanks for the work you did on getting me the Goose Island Bourbon County Stout. I haven't had an opportunity to try it yet, but I am really looking forward to it. From all that I've read about it, I'm sure I will be thrilled. Thanks again.

Verie - just sending our best wishes for a loving holiday season for you, and yours. It is such a pleasure to call you a friend.

I try to live what I believe without the pretense of false pride.

I appreciate you disagreeing with me on Alison's site about Anna Swir's poems. Having some Zen training, this made me go back and reread these poems. You are correct and my apologies for being negative. I wrote a new comment on Alison's article and gave you full credit for helping me realize my mistake. Thank you.

What can you say about the Ellis Peters? I had a few of Peters' books that I never got around to reading and ended up giving away. Now I wonder if I did the right thing.

Hi Verie. I'm responding with a "ping" in case you didn't catch my response to your question about the Mayan fabric. These kinds of embroidered designs are typically woven into women's garments, like the "huipil" (traditional square-cut blouse), but this particular piece was larger -- I think some kind of wall hanging. I have found some references to the quetzel bird, whose plummage is a bright emerald green and belly is red. The quetzel is a sacred symbol of freedom and wealth. We returned from Guatemala Dec. 18 and I am marveling at all the wonderful stories and photos we gathered. Now, if only I could find the time to write them!