Telling the Truth

connecting the dots of my life

Tag: Viet Nam War

April 29, 2023

Blessed saint francis | Dorothee Soelle

What is happening to us and to this planet earth? Why are we enamored with the latest gossip or ‘news’ about things, people, governments and countries falling apart?

Questions like these flood my mind from time to time…including questions about my own place and role in this slow/lightning fast descent into…what? I don’t know what to call it.

Here’s one of Dorothee Soelle’s poems from our not-distant past, the 1970s (Vietnam War era). It rings eerily true, given today’s madness that seems to have a life of its own.

Blessed saint francis
pray for us
now and in the time of despondency
your brother the water is poisoned
children no longer know your brother the fire
the birds shun us

They belittle you
popes and czars
and the americans buy up assisi
including you
blessed saint francis
why did you come among us

In the stony outskirts of the city
I saw you scurrying about
a dog pawing through garbage
even children
choose a plastic car
over you

Blessed saint francis
What have you changed
Whom have you helped

Blessed saint francis
pray for us
now and when the rivers run dry
now and when our breath fails us

Soelle’s poem published in Revolutionary Patience, pp 40-41
Revolutionary Patience © 1969 and 1974 by Wolfgang Fierkau Verlag, Berlin
English translation © 1977 by Orbis Books

Yes, the only thing I can do is be who I am right now. Hopefully doing what I can to help address horrific conditions in our cities, suburbs, towns, and government. Still, I wonder what it means to be ‘ready’ for whatever is coming next.

I’m praying we’ll find ways to address today’s loneliness, hardship, and lack of security. Not as a grand ‘solution’ to everything, but as immediate ways to connect with neighbors and strangers alike. We need each other as much as we need food, clothing, and a safe place to sleep.

Blessings to each of you today and tomorrow.
Elouise♥

© Elouise Renich Fraser, 29 April 2023
Photo found at istockphoto.com

5 Comments
April 10, 2023

Doubts of the teacher | Dorothee Soelle

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♥

13 Comments
March 23, 2021

Peace | Dorothee Soelle

Last night we lost yet more citizens to a so-called ‘lone gunman.’ This time in Boulder, Colorado. Today I woke up thinking about one of Dorothee Soelle’s poems from the Vietnam War era. The war lasted officially from 1 November 1955 to 30 April 1975. My comments follow.

Peace

1

Asked to write a poem about peace
I feel shame for those who ask
do they live on a different planet
what are their hopes
and for whom

Gases meant for rice farmers
have been tested
they can be harmless
if the humidity and the wind
are right

So I’d suggest
we talk about the wind

2

Speaking of the wind
it can be lenient
rice plants can be merciful
sometimes
how friendly the jungle rain is
it delays attacks
and the twenty-fourth of december
lowers the casualty count
all these things provide cover
for st sebastian
for peace

3

He’s leaning against a tree
the wood has been sold
the land leased
the water poisoned
the rain kills birds
somebody takes aim at him
he raises his arms against the black wood
it is not finished

Dorothee Soelle, Revolutionary Patience, pp. 33-34
English translation © 1977 by Orbis Books

Sometime during the night yet another citizen of the USA walked into yet another public business and committed mayhem. This time in Boulder, Colorado. We miss the point if we think this was a lone male. No matter what prompted his actions, he is one of millions of men and women in the USA outfitted for killing with firearms, without warning.

And here we are in Lent. How ironic. Dorothee Soelle is correct: The death of one man (in this case, St. Sebastian) did not end the killing. Nor did the death of Jesus of Nazareth end the enmity burning like fire in the veins of many who see no way out except to take aim and fire.

“Surely he has born our griefs, and carried our sorrows….” (Isaiah 53:4, King James Version)

May God have mercy on us all.

© Elouise Renich Fraser, 23 March 2021
Image of painting by Roger Wagner found at mutualart.com

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