Archive for March, 2014

Lingering Grief

March 27, 2014

—∞—

Water calm, still
Sky clear, cloudless
Then
A
Wave
Suddenly
Comes
Ashore
Briefly disturbing what lies there … then
Slowly recedes, slowly recedes
Water calm, still
Sky clear, cloudless
 

© 2014 Thomas W. Cummins

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Posted in Death Penalty, Ministry, Personal, Poetry, Prison Ministry, Spirituality | Leave a Comment »

Can’t withstand the light of day

March 26, 2014

I posted this earlier today on Facebook:

Missouri execution: another death, another grieving family. Is that what balances the scales of justice? Could it be mindless revenge instead? What are we looking for?

Five in a row … uninterrupted. Seems like we’re trying to run the table. Florida and Texas are pulling away in the race.

So, citizens of Missouri, name the man executed in November. What did he do? Then name the ones in December, January, February. What did they do?

Can’t remember? These deaths are being done in your name. Is this whole death penalty thing working for you? Are we safer? Are victims’ families happier? Has grief been dissipated? Are we more respected and admired as a state? Or do we applaud and cheer when the governor gives his “thumbs down”?

Let’s move forward. Dead-of-night and secretive taking of life that can’t withstand the light of day and accomplishes nothing awaits our collective rejection and abolishment.

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Posted in Criminal Justice, Death Penalty, politics, Prison Ministry | 1 Comment »

Just step back

March 21, 2014

Sometimes as the storm rages about us, it is necessary to step back … and wait … and content ourselves with just being a lightning rod. And to remember that the lightning rod isn’t causing the lightning, nor the lightning the storm.

So one waits for a pause, for a patch of clear sky to appear, a glimpse of the sun obscured for so long.

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Posted in Faith, Family, Personal, Spirituality | 1 Comment »