Signs of Imperfection ?

Politicians,
particularly at election time,
like nothing better
than to call this country
“the greatest, the most powerful,
the most beautiful, and the very best,…”
when compared to all others,
existing anywhere in the world…
and yet it takes no more than
two fanatically misguided youths
to traumatize us, to shake our confidence
to the very core,
to unnerve us,
and to put us to the test.
We call ourselves a free and open society,
we consider our culture
to be free and open,
welcoming all who ask to be admitted
with open doors and open arms,
with hands extended
with a friendly greeting and a smile…
as immigrants to come and settle
in our midst and to partake
in what we think makes us great…
extending opportunities to any and all
to find themselves in freedom,
to have a house and home,
to find employment,
to raise a family
free from fear…
and yet, what causes
two young people
to turn from these ways
and then against us?
What causes them willfully
to bring harm,
suffering, carnage, bloodshed, and death,
and to cause chaos
for people whom they had never met,
who had done nothing to them,
people who had assembled
in peace, in order to celebrate,
to enjoy and to cheer
the efforts of others
who were running, in so many ways,
in celebration of freedom?
It had caused a free society
to shut down a part of itself in freedom,
in order to protect itself.
They had virtually forced
civil society in a great city of freedom
to come to standstill
while being searched and purged
of apparent deadly evil doers.
It had caused a free society
to be reminded of its vulnerability.
It had compelled free people
to rally to the cause
of protecting, defending
and sheltering freedom,
and not to take it for granted.
The perpetrators were identified,
cornered, trapped,
one killed, one caught.
Now we are free to reflect,
at least momentarily
once again relieved
and unburdened from fear.
We mourn the dead.
We think with profound concern
of all the victims.
We hope that what had been
shredded and torn,
can again be mended.
We hope that all the hurt
of body, spirit and soul
can again heal
and be made whole.
We are free once again
to think and detect
what makes us who we are,
what makes us special and unique…
and therein lies a duty, an obligation…
not to be overbearing,
not to be arrogant,
but to be courteous,
kind and caring.
We need to prove
to ourselves and the world
that love conquers all,
that love defeats
hatred and fear…
that nothing can weaken or destroy
the real  and  true values
we all cherish and hold dear.

© Gerhard A. Fürst
4/21/2013

Written as a tribute to all who had come to the defense, rescue, and the reestablishment of freedom in Boston !

courtesy : 'Africana Orientalia'