The Bigger Picture
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Below a poem I've published on nexus. I wrote it a couple of years ago and it is based on unforgettable experience shared with me by a senior nurse - in an elderly medicine ward in Lancashire where I worked as trainee in general medicine. https://nexusonline.org/why-a-doctor-writes-poetry/
Challenges to Growth
Our views are invariably informed by life experiences. Unavoidably we will each have our limits especially if we’re not gifted with social graces, or had the best start in life. However, if we’re honest, we also develop prejudices when we don’t understand another person’s choices. Unconscious biases are the norm.
A view from another place
I’m classified as a ‘third culture’ person as as such I’m amazed by how set in their ways people often are. Even young people can be unwilling, or unable to make even the smallest of changes to their preferences to accommodate another person, be they workmate or neighbour. In short, the ties that ought to arise from our common humanity are threatened by fear, prejudice and pride, especially when we believe that there’s little of value in another culture.
Making choices
In each of our lives, there are opportunities to see people with eyes of compassion and wonder – like a child’s. Once we’re open to them, the opportunities are endless. Even if we have the desire to connect, we could chose instead to become ‘comfortably numb,’ in the face of the challenges, and decide to stick to our comfort zones – as the song by Pink Floyd tells. We all face this temptation and it is amplified when we’re faced with people who look different, have many problems, or speak a different language.
Overcoming the challenges
Growth can seem an overwhelming challenge. For example, there may be language barriers, and the people we encounter don’t understand the cultural norms. Or we may feel awkward, knowing our own limitations and so we miss many opportunities to be enriched; from seeing others through fresh eyes.
On the other hand, if we attempt the challenge, and take even small steps in the right direction, we may be rewarded with immeasurable richness our lives.
We had quite an experience when we decided to open our home to some homeless girls, while based in Addis Ababa. It was a unique opportunity. In fact, their very presence was an unexpected gift to us: to see life through these young people’s eyes – for never has a jig-zaw puzzle been such a source of wonder. The result was a special memory that we still carry in our hearts.
Justice- The Bigger Picture
Have I the guts to speak out for voices unheard
the oppressed, unrepresented, ignored?
Can I secede from earthly rules that burden the poor?
that threaten, prejudice, suppress and ignore?
Do I fall into line under systems that rule us all?
Do I hear the call to work towards peace and provide for real needs?
Love calls. ‘Don’t cling to things, she implores me to share.
Will I answer loves call ?
Or will temptation and the treadmill compete?
There’s plenty in the fertile ground of the poor
but it’s taken by greed for rich seams, and for seed.
There’s harvests galore, precious elements mined
but little is gained despite the high price.
With blood sweat and tears many fall and they die
While rich nations’ peoples can claim:
‘we’re deserving, we earned it all.’
Most of the world follows a beast
who dresses selfishness up as need
Back in the year nought he offered the world to the King of us all.
This beast craves worship, the true king’s opposed
but thank God my King resisted that claim
The beast still beckons, seduces, enslaves
with riches, honours, power and fame.
“Go to war!” his followers cry
“Cover my back, think of all the gain!”
I could adopt this style and have it all
but didn’t he lie about this before?
Biblical Imagery:
Proverbs 13: 23 Isaiah 58:4-8 Daniel 7:23,
Revelation 13:1-6, 11-15, 16-18, Matthew 4: 9, Micah 6: 8