When my wife shared my post Gun Violence: Perfect Love Drives out Fear on her Google+ a photographer friend, Shari Miller, felt compelled to share a poem she had written a few years ago after Sandy Hook. Shari graciously agreed to allow me to share the poem here. I should point out also that Shari is a fantastic contemplative photographer. Check her work out on her website.
A gun at my side…
by Shari Miller
12/28/2012
If I carry a gun at my side,
I say to you (but more to myself),
“I don’t trust you.”
If I carry a gun at my side,
I say to you (but more to myself),
“You might be evil.”
If I carry a gun at my side,
I say to you (but more to myself),
“I fear you.”
If I carry a gun at my side,
I say to you (but more to myself),
“I could kill you.”
If I carry a gun at my side,
I say to you (but more to myself),
“I feel safe.” (But do I?)
In the conversation about the poem, my wife also said something that I think is worth sharing:
I see a difference, or rather I should see a difference between those who have faith, and those who don’t. I don’t blame those without faith being fearful. I can’t. BUT I do expect those with a hope beyond the here and now to think, act, behave, and feel differently. We should be doing exactly what you suggest. Instead, we fall into fear ourselves. Where is the Light? Where is the Hope? Our candles are quite dim, I’m afraid.
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