Lyrical Laments - 22. Chapter 22 The Price

Speaking of a 'preexisting condition', I hear you. 

I second this! All of it.

1 minute ago, aditus said:

Speaking of a 'preexisting condition', I hear you. 

I second this! All of it.

 

Thanks, Adi. There are an awful lot of us who are vulnerable... and we matter. My children have tailored their lives to try to keep me safe. I matter.   

You're right, Gary.  All life is precious. All have something to offer ... and sometimes the 'weak' offer huge gifts to the world. Think, Stephen Hawking to start with, there are thousands of examples.

That we have left the vulnerable to suffer and die in many cases, is sickening.  To think anyone feels money is more important than life is also. I've heard this virus is considered the reckoning ... culling the herd, among other things. Right now, it doesn't seem to mind who it kills.

Thanks for posting this ... some need to hear it.

look after yourself, Gary. all the best.

You nailed it Gary  I am older and I am scared when I hear this crazy stuff 

Just now, Mikiesboy said:

You're right, Gary.  All life is precious. All have something to offer ... and sometimes the 'weak' offer huge gifts to the world. Think, Stephen Hawking to start with, there are thousands of examples.

That we have left the vulnerable to suffer and die in many cases, is sickening.  To think anyone feels money is more important than life is also. I've heard this virus is considered the reckoning ... culling the herd, among other things. Right now, it doesn't seem to mind who it kills.

Thanks for posting this ... some need to hear it.

look after yourself, Gary. all the best.

Thanks, tim. I live close to an old age facility that has had 26 deaths, and it has affected the whole town. My daughter shops there, and those folks had families, and long histories in their community. The stories are heartwrenching. If this is a reckoning, it is about finding our humanity in a world gone mad. Be safe, tim. All the best to you too. 

3 minutes ago, Albert1434 said:

You nailed it Gary 

Thanks, Albert. It is shocking to see such blatant evil in men's hearts.  

31 minutes ago, Valkyrie said:

As another person with pre-existing conditions and in the high risk category, this is spot on.  You said it perfectly  

Thanks, Val. We all have a voice, but some voices are just too cruel to fathom.  

Here also are those who cry for finance and economy over life. They forget others are living beings, too. Not different from any of us in their vulnerability to pathogens, whatever they may be.

What life and human dignity are worth to us can be seen in how we treat others and their lives, especially the vulnerable and those who cannot defend themselves. Treat them like you would like anybody to treat you.

I doubt that all those who now prefer the (former?) status quo, the reign of money and shareholders unchained, have ever considered how dangerous this virus may get, even to themselves, if left to go virulent in our societies and mutate further. They must feel so beyond its reach. So invulnerable.

I remember a short old fairy tale without magic in it. It tells a story about a young family with a little boy. The grandfather is old,  his weak hands tremble and he cannot eat anymore without spilling. He cannot help soup running down his chin. The young couple banish him from the family meals to a dark corner and give him a wooden bowl and spoon that cannot be broken. The grandfather suffers in silence. One day the little boy is on the floor playing with pieces of wood. The proud young father asks his son what he is making. "I am making a bowl for you and mother to eat from when you are old." Then they reconsider and take the grandfather back in their midst and do not shame him for his age and his weakness.

This virus has shown us so much stupidity, blindness and arrogance, especially in powerful male politicians and thoughtless airheads, that I need every instance of goodness, love and helpful neighborly assistance there is to remind me that not all hope is lost for humanity.

33 minutes ago, mayday said:

Here also are those who cry for finance and economy over life. They forget others are living beings, too. Not different from any of us in their vulnerability to pathogens, whatever they may be.

What life and human dignity are worth to us can be seen in how we treat others and their lives, especially the vulnerable and those who cannot defend themselves. Treat them like you would like anybody to treat you.

I doubt that all those who now prefer the (former?) status quo, the reign of money and shareholders unchained, have ever considered how dangerous this virus may get, even to themselves, if left to go virulent in our societies and mutate further. They must feel so beyond its reach. So invulnerable.

I remember a short old fairy tale without magic in it. It tells a story about a young family with a little boy. The grandfather is old,  his weak hands tremble and he cannot eat anymore without spilling. He cannot help soup running down his chin. The young couple banish him from the family meals to a dark corner and give him a wooden bowl and spoon that cannot be broken. The grandfather suffers in silence. One day the little boy is on the floor playing with pieces of wood. The proud young father asks his son what he is making. "I am making a bowl for you and mother to eat from when you are old." Then they reconsider and take the grandfather back in their midst and do not shame him for his age and his weakness.

This virus has shown us so much stupidity, blindness and arrogance, especially in powerful male politicians and thoughtless airheads, that I need every instance of goodness, love and helpful neighborly assistance there is to remind me that not all hope is lost for humanity.

 

 

I couldn't agree more, mayday, and thanks for sharing such a beautiful and meaningful story with us. I know my children, all grown and with families of their own, still need me. I know my worth to myself, and to them, and I resent those who consider me expendable. Those of us who are older or frail or disadvantaged still have much to contribute. Unfortunately, many of those of privilege don't feel quite the same, once their bottom lines are affected.   Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts, my friend.  

Whatever you do unto the least of these you do unto me ... I know which god they profess but what god do they truly worship?

From one older person to another: Amen! And well stated!

I'm not a religious man at all (that's not to say that I'm not spiritual), but I will follow @dughlas' quotation of scripture with another one from the Bible (Timothy, Chapter 6, Verse 10 - King James Version: 

"For the love of money is the root of all evil"

A powerful piece, Gary. Words that need to be said, need to be said loudly, and need to be said often.

You may say that it's not a political piece of poetry, but I think many would disagree with you.

Thanks for writing this. And thanks for sharing it with us.

50 minutes ago, JeffreyL said:

From one older person to another: Amen! And well stated!

Thanks, Jeff. Life should never be considered trivial. When we allow that, we diminish our humanity.  

47 minutes ago, Marty said:

I'm not a religious man at all (that's not to say that I'm not spiritual), but I will follow @dughlas' quotation of scripture with another one from the Bible (Timothy, Chapter 6, Verse 10 - King James Version: 

"For the love of money is the root of all evil"

A powerful piece, Gary. Words that need to be said, need to be said loudly, and need to be said often.

You may say that it's not a political piece of poetry, but I think many would disagree with you.

Thanks for writing this. And thanks for sharing it with us.

Thanks you, Marty. I'm not political in that I don't have any party leanings, but I avoid doctrines of exclusion, and do not understand some folks need to hate. I pay close attention to the world around me, and I'm seeing a fiasco. Poor leadership and perverted values are rampant, and I am angry. I'm not a religious man either, but I do have faith, and I do believe there are things I can feel but may never understand. I guess that is the spiritual part.   Humanity should be better than what I am seeing... I'm glad you found this powerful... it came from some pretty strong emotion. Be safe, my friend.   

I was just thinking along these same lines earlier today. No need to mention names here; we all know where to look already.

Compassion and caring are gifts, but not everyone has them. And for those who don't have these qualities (or far worse, get the concepts, but despise them), the words will be just two more that never made it into the tiny vocabularies they use to describe their time on this earth.

Life has more value than The Economy. I wonder why some have a hard time seeing that? You’ve made it very, very clear. Thank you.