Readings

My Eyes Cloud 

by Marsha Raymond
(The author notes:  "I am a mixed heritage woman (mostly Choctaw and Welsh) and have
been a UU member since 1993  in the UU congregation of St. Petersburg, FL.")

From time out of mind we fought for honor
For land, for freedom, for life
We came to the aid of those in danger
Placing ourselves in harm's way

Never the tyrant, never through bigotry
Never for selfish needs did we rise
Never for laurels, never for greed
We followed cool minds and warm hearts

My eyes cloud...
The incentive unclear
Is it revenge we seek against millions of souls
for the painful actions of few?
Is it lust for oil, is it unbridled arrogance?
Is it economic, political or fear?

Prayers fill the skies over Kansas and Basrah
Paris, Cape Town and Kashan

Patriots marching, hitting the streets,
Tears stain folded arms,
words offered in hundreds of languages...
Washington, do you hear?

My eyes cloud,
they can no longer see the Flag...
once so proudly raised.

Our ancestors are sickened...
is this bullying behavior the result of generations of sacrifice?

Was the lesson lost - once learned in past destruction?

Will we now fail and unchecked power push America into dishonor -

as, through our actions, the global community loses its faith in Peace?

My eyes are cloudy,
and Creator holds His breath.

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