ARE WE THEM . . . ARE WE MEETING OURSELVES IN THE MIRROR? ©

US AGAINST THEM, OR ARE WE THEM?
As we read of, hear of, speak of, and view the most recent fighting in Iraq, as we consider the reported conquest over the Iraqi insurgents in Fallejuah, might we also ask . . ?
How can we profess peace and then pounce, punitively?
Might we also ask: Are we fighting these persons in the name of freedom?
Is the falling of Fallejuah our folly or have we fixed what we consider a flawed system?
Are we fighting in the name of democracy, “of, by, and for the people,” and if so, which people?

Throughout my life, I am struck by how often we meet ourselves in the mirror. We meet our image, see our reflection, and yet we believe that our reflection is the reverse. We do not realize that we are as they are.

In the spring of 2004, I wrote a poem after, again, experiencing this possibility. I had participated in what was purported to be a peaceful protest. During this event, and during this past political season, there seemed to be numerous persons meeting themselves in the mirror and yet, not realizing this. Might this be titled, “WHEN WE ARE THEM,” or . . .
With the intention of provoking thought, might we ask . . ?
ARE WE THEM . . .
ARE WE MEETING OURSELVES IN THE MIRROR?

I wonder and ask . . .
Are we marching in the name of peace and love?
Are we marching to create greater awareness?
Are we marching to express our belief that . . .
“No one has the right to tell another what they should, think, say, do, feel, or be?”
Yet, when we march,
Are we indeed telling others what they “should, think, say, do, feel, or be?”

Are we marching to honor peace and love for all others equally?
Are we marching for choice?
Are we honoring the choice for all to think, say, do, feel, and be, as they believe is best [for them]?

I wonder and ask . . .
Are we asserting that any unilateral attacks, occupations, and aggressions are not healthy?
Are we addressing and acknowledging freedom, freedom of speech, choice, religion, and thought?
I wonder and ask what of our actions?

I wonder and ask. Is it them, or is it us that labels others, negates others, or denigrates others?
I wonder and ask. Is it them, or is it us that considers others as evil?
I wonder and ask. Is it them, or is it us that discriminates against others?
I wonder and ask. Is it them, or is it us that would wish to fight for what is right?
What is right? Is right truly synonymous with correct or is it only a sense of winning?

I wonder and ask . . .
They label us left, liberal, progressive, radical, revolutionary, agitator, propagandist, and . . .
We label them right, reactionary, conservative, dogmatic, rigid, arrogant, and propagandist.
They impose and force their beliefs on us in subtle and severe manners.
Do we impose and force our beliefs on them in subtle and severe manners?
I ask us to reflect upon our words, our actions, our reactions, and ourselves.

They unilaterally attack their enemies with weapons and words; they are aggressive.
We speak of peace and love and yet, let them question us . . .
Do we at times unilaterally attack them as though they are our enemies?
Do we wish to consider another as our enemy?
Do we attack with words wielding as weapons; are we aggressive?
Who among us acts aggressively, inciting, instigating, and intentionally inflaming?
Is it they or we?

Is it they or is it we, that assaults another and does this in the name of justice?
Is it they or is it we, confronting the other as though they are our adversary?
Is it they or is it we, wielding weapons of our choice?

They powerfully practice facilitating freedom through force.
They “Storm”, they “Shock” and they “Awe.”
They profess patriotism.
To protect; they create policy.
They dismiss civil rights in the name of security.
Through their speech they demand and then . . .
Do we defiantly demand, with expletives deleted?
Are we creating peace?
Do we love or are we too “storming,” “shocking,” and “awing”?

I wonder and ask . . .
Are we meeting ourselves in the mirror?
Do they have the power?
Are we the power?
What is the power?
“Power to the people!”
Is the power within and apparent through our actions?
Is power of, by, and for the people, and is the power within all people, equally?
“Equally,” I wonder of them and I wonder of us?
I wonder; will we get what we give, give what we get; are we meeting ourselves in the mirror?

I wonder and ask; believe as we might that we are insightful, independent, informed individuals . . .
Do they not believe the same of themselves?
Are we each the other’s reflection in reverse?
As insightful and informed individuals, I ask if we are truly independent.
Are we isolated, insulated, separate or solitary?
Do we effect no one and does no one effect us? Is this true?
My experience is that we are eternally exchanging, engaging, enticing, and effecting.
I wonder and ask; are we evolving when we mirror what we claim to disdain?
My hope is that we will choose to evolve together.