Telling the Truth

Dorothee Soelle, professor and author, made her mark during and after the Viet Nam war. Her poetry resonates with the agony of yesterday’s spiraling war on the streets and in the air. In this poem she doesn’t address us directly. Instead, she itemizes her own agony as she observes the way so-called ‘peace’ gets negotiated without the input of those who suffer most.

I can’t help thinking about the way our country has descended into a sea of anger, anguish and hopelessness. Instead of locating and listening to people who most need help, attention is fixed on how to win the next election. Based, of course, on strengthening the power of the party, not the welfare of all citizens. Especially the welfare of the most neglected or hated among us.

So…here’s a look into Soelle’s spirit as she watches the debacle unfold in her generation–the View Nam war. In addition, watch for her early identification of the problem–now taken for granted, it seems.

Doubts of the teacher

In the phase of despondency
class wars subside
the fears of men grow
here and there peace is negotiated
nobody asks the people
what kind of peace they want
the hopes of the victims
stray to the occult

In the phase of despondency
my certainty grows
I feel
more and more resilient
I don’t waste my time doubting
these days
that lowly jesus is the truth
and the way

In the days of fear
I sing once more
in the days of discord
my peace grows

But what for
if it can’t be shared
if it remains invisible
if we can’t partake of it with others
if the victims go away empty-handed
what good are these riches

If one can’t teach it
is that peace

Dorothee Soelle, author; poem found in Revolutionary Patience, pp 38-39
English translation © 1977 by Orbis Books

Food for thought. Especially during this week following religious celebrations of many kinds. What difference are we making? Or are we more concerned about what we call “peace” — the kind delivered and enjoyed at the expense of those without peace or access to basic needs.

I wish I could wave a wand. Or, better yet, learn to teach it based on present realities, not on unexamined pie in the sky by and by, or looking the other way.

Many thanks for stopping by today!
Elouise♥