The end of Love

 

The End of Love

 

Where did the feeling go?

Landed a hefty blow

Sharp pain

Flash of Light

Dark as night

Numb

 

Where did the feeling go?

Wedded bliss all aglow

Pummelled Love

Bruised Oppression

Dreams Undone

Numb

#BlackLivesMatter

There is no escaping the current news concerning the protests about racial inequality or more specifically systemic racism sparked by the harrowing video of George Floyd, a black man being pinned to the ground by a white policeman which eventually led to his death.  #BlackLivesMatter is the trending hashtag.

I have read much on social media, the posts, the blogs, the comments especially from the Christian community – those who follow the Lord Jesus.


I am a white person, I do not suffer the racism I have seen and heard recently in that it does not impact upon my daily life as it is. 
Should I be silent? 
Does that mean I have no opinion? 
Does it mean I should not embroil myself in the ongoing situation? 
What can I do or what can I say?


I have no answers to some of those questions. 
I have no words.
I can offer nothing that will be adequate to comfort those who are suffering or words to quell the fears and anger of black men and women who do not have the privileges in life I have by virtue of where I was born.  
My opinion is just that -my opinion and no use to anyone. 

But what I do have is this, the words and comfort of the Lord Almighty.


This is what the Lord says to His people, to those who are oppressed, to those suffering racial inequality and systemic racism in their daily lives.  This is why I could not remain silent; why I will shout His words for they are mightier than any I have.

Micah 6:8

He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God?

NB: Justice here includes privilege not only a formal decree

Proverbs 21:3

To do righteousness and justice is more desirable to the LORD than sacrifice.

Proverbs 31:9

Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy

Jeremiah 22:3

This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place.

Zechariah 7:9

"This is what the LORD of Hosts says: 'Administer true justice. Show loving devotion and compassion to one another.

Matthew 22:39 and Mark 12:31

Love your neighbour as yourself

The Lord cares, He is the answer, He is a refuge, He is your strength. He is your avenger.

Psalm 9:7-10 

But the LORD reigns forever, executing judgment from his throne. He will judge the world with justice and rule the nations with fairness. The LORD is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O LORD, do not abandon those who search for you.

Psalm 103:5-6 

Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

1 Peter 5:7

 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Isaiah 41:10

 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Psalm 145:18

The LORD is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.

Psalm 34:18

The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Psalm 62:8

Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.

I have heard the cry from some that we should not say #BlackLivesMatter because #AllLivesMatter. It is true that ALL lives matter, it is true that we were created equally before God, it is true that God does not treat us more or less favourably based on colour or culture. God does see colour, He created us that way. 
Sadly mankind created bias and discrimination. We live in a fallen world, sin exists, hate exists, racism exists, oppression exists. 
Call it out! Use your privilege to change things for those who are oppressed. “Speak up” for truth and righteousness. In this instance the systemic racism that exists in many places against our brothers and sister who are black. I must act and speak against racism at every turn becasue the Lord demands it of me. What I can do I have not yet worked out, but do something I must. Now is not the time to be silent and ignore this hoping it will go away soon.
#BlackLivesMatter



Amanda Mair

Somewhere

Sometimes in the midst of a situation leaving seems impossible for whatever reasons. There is no judgement here. But most of all stay safe!

Peace can be found in dreams

A world of fancy delusion

A sanctum of seclusion

Escape there from the screams

Away from

Love that turned sour

Eyes that glower

Mouth that venom spits

Lips that deceive with a kiss. 

Serenity in a corner of my mind

A world I can create

Love is there not hate

A place to be tender, kind

Away from

Love that oppresses

A mind that possesses

Teeth that flesh, tear and gash

Hands that bones, break and smash.

Solitude in the hearts recess

Fantasy is the key

To this sanctuary

This ethereal wonderland of peace

For now

This is it

This is my quiet place

This is where I can be who I am

One day this will be my reality.

There is help out there, please take that step. YOU are WORTH it. 

Amanda Mair

Words are subject to copyright no part or the whole should be used without permission of the author. AM  

Who was that man?

A few years ago working in the city centre of Belfast I often passed a homeless person sleeping in a doorway. It prompted to me write this poem.

Who was that man I passed today?
Slumped in an abandoned doorway
Alone, unkempt, dirty even.
Alcohol, urine, blood and death reeked to heaven.
Who was that man I passed today?
A down and out or tramp?
A drunk, a loser, a bum?

Was he that father who once played football in the park with his kids?
Or pushed them on the swings?
Did he wipe their tears and runny noses, read them adventure stories?

Was he that husband who once brought home on Fridays red roses for his wife?

Or curled up on the sofa and stroked her soft hair?
Did they talk of their great plans for the future , whisper sweet nothings?

Was he that son a mother once was so proud of on the day he was born?
Or bounced him on her knee and curled him into her breast?

Tucked him in at night, planted butterfly kisses on his ruddy cheek, sang sweet lullabies?

Who was that man I passed today?
Slumped in an abandoned doorway
Alone, unkempt dirty even.
Alcohol, urine, blood and death reeked to heaven.
Who was that man I passed today?
A lover a husband, a father?
A friend, a brother, a son?

Words Subject to copyright. No reproduction in whole or part is permitted without the author's permission.

Amanda Mair