WEAVING THE WORLD
On the loom of life,
we are the weavers of the world---
diverse people
interweaving divergent tapestry threads
into complex converging patterns
of life and death and new life,
of existential despair and hope,
of vulnerability and resilience.
We are the weavers of the world---
elders
weaving patterns
of ancient folkways surviving modernism,
of honourable values rather than selfish vices,
of wise teachings for our young.
We are the weavers of the world---
youth
weaving patterns
of rebellion against child control,
of innovation against anachronisms,
of hopes and dreams for our future.
We are the weavers of the world---
girls and women
weaving patterns
of anti-sexism against misogyny,
of feminism and gender equality,
of collaboration with our feminist allies.
We are the weavers of the world---
boys and men
weaving patterns
of anti-sexism against misandry,
of philandry and gender equality,
of collaboration with our philandrous and feminist allies.
We are the weavers of the world---
intersex, trans, hijra and two-spirit people
weaving patterns
of celebratory gender diversity combatting genderphobia,
of collaboration with our cisgender allies,
of a synergy of sexuality and spirituality.
We are the weavers of the world---
lesbian, gay, bi and pansexual people
weaving patterns
of celebratory sexual diversity combatting heterosexism,
of collaboration with our straight allies,
of a synergy of sexuality and spirituality.
We are the weavers of the world---
Indigenous peoples
weaving patterns
of colonialist genocide trauma and post-colonialist reconciliation,
of native spirituality in place of coercive Christianity,
of Earth medicine and a home on Turtle Island.
We are the weavers of the world---
people of colour
weaving patterns
of anti-racist work to fight White racism,
of different dialects instead of enforced Anglicisms,
of peppery spices and soul songs.
We are the weavers of the world---
labour unionists
weaving patterns
of labour and management negotiation,
of bargaining in good faith against bad,
of compromise and collective agreements.
We are the weavers of the world---
social democrats and democratic socialists
weaving patterns
of differing left-wing economic and political policies,
both committed to social justice, and universal healthcare and education.
We are the weavers of the world---
artists and artisans
weaving patterns
of artistic integrity and homemade crafts
against mass production of tacky artifacts,
of art expressing emotional, sexual, cultural and political messages.
We are the weavers of the world---
counterculture rebels
weaving patterns
of peace protests against war,
of urban ghettos and hippie communes,
of coffee houses, beatniks and bongo drums.
We are the weavers of the world---
warriors and freedom fighters
weaving patterns
of social justice against injustice,
of civil disobedience despite punitive policing,
of creative passive resistance.
We are the weavers of the world---
visionaries and truth-seekers
weaving patterns
of cerebral and visceral knowing,
of critical thinking and gut feeling,
of direct sensory experience.
We are the weavers of the world---
teachers weaving patterns
of physics and metaphysics,
of empiricism and mysticism,
of book-learning and street smarts.
We are the weavers of the world---
(wounded) healers
weaving patterns
of emotional wellness over psychopathology,
of trauma recovery therapy,
of holistic healing of the body, mind, heart and soul.
We are the weavers of the world---
eco-activists, animal liberationists, Earth scientists and green politicians
weaving patterns
of reducing our ecological footprint on Earth,
of responsible stewardship of our planet,
of liberation of tortured and enslaved animals.
We are the weavers of the world---
Buddhists
weaving patterns
of compassion, wisdom and Mindfulness,
based on Buddha's teachings,
and of loving kindness for all Mother Earth's children.
We are the weavers of the world---
theistic humanists and secular humanists
weaving patterns
of compassion, reason and free thought,
respectively based on faith and science, and philosophy and science,
and of solidarity with our human family
We are the weavers of the world---
Unitarian Universalists
weaving patterns
of critical inquiry and spiritual growth,
of social and environmental justice,
and of a universal fellowship based on our eight principles.
We are the weavers of the world---
social change agents
weaving patterns
of conscience over complacency,
of creative action over academic discussion,
of committment to positive change on our planet.
As our living tapestry wears over time,
new threads come together
in a creative tension of warp and woof,
interweaving dialectical designs anew
on our dynamic fabric of life.
We are the weavers of the world---
diverse people
throughout time and space
weaving the collective human condition
and the changing connections of our lives...
© 2024 Rupert Raj
OUR INTERCONNECTED EARTH COMMUNITY
Maawnjidwin---
let us come together
across all countries, cultures, colours and creeds,
across all races, ethnicities, classes and faiths,
across all species on our Earth.
Like the many waves in a vast ocean,
we are all interconnected:
red, black, brown, yellow, white and mixed race,
rich and poor, believers and non-believers.
Let us break bread together
with people of all ages,
of all abilities and disabilities,
of all sexes and genders,
of all sexual preferences and gender expressions.
Like the varied colours of the rainbow,
we are all interconnected:
straight, queer, pansexual, cisgender,
transgender, intersex, two-spirit and hijra.
A culture of acceptance, not rejection,
of radical inclusivity, not exclusivity,
shall be our guiding light.
Let us acknowledge our essential intersections
and fight against religious and political oppression.
Like the points of a shining star,
we are all interconnected:
atheist, theist and agnostic,
democrats, socialists and communists.
Cooperation, not competition,
loving kindness, not cruelty,
peaceful co-existence, not polarized conflict,
forgiveness, not revenge,
shall be our guiding lights.
Let us join hands in a circle of friendship.
Like the many nodes of a spider's web,
we are all interconnected:
Africans, Asians, South Sea Islanders,
Europeans, Caribbeans, North and South Americans.
Compromise, not dissension,
fairness, not inequity,
shall be our guiding lights.
Let us come to the bargaining table
in express good faith,
making concessions as needed.
Like the roots and branches of a tree,
we are all interconnected:
employers, trade unionists and negotiators.
Commitment, not complacency,
active caring, not indifference,
shall be our guiding lights.
Let us be stewards of our troubled planet,
expanding our circle of care
to embrace all species.
As Mother Earth's children,
we are all interconnected:
humans, animals and plants,
and the oceans, mountains and skies.
Children are our future hope---
their education, protection and nurturance
shall be our guiding lights.
Let us teach them well,
inspiring them by our example
to carry on our good works.
As elder visionary torchbearers,
we are passing on the torch to our youth,
to keep the flames of love and hope burning bright
for future generations to come.
Courage, not cowardice,
pride not shame,
meaningful amends, not useless guilt,
shall be our guiding lights.
Let us summon the courage of our convictions
to carry out our good intentions as good actions.
As self-conscious creatures,
we experience existential angst,
dancing between despair and hope,
vulnerability and resilience.
Complex human beings,
our three “minds”---
reasonable mind, emotional mind and wise mind
(left brain, right brain and the“third eye”)---
shall be our guiding lights.
Let us use all three in our meaningful connections.
As diverse life sojourners,
we are all interconnected:
scientists, artists and mystics.
Creative passive resistance, not violent means,
righteous indignation, not immoral aggression,
constructive conflict resolution, not grudge wars,
shall be our guiding lights.
Let us fight social injustice and economic disparity
to redress the balance of power and privilege.
As social justice activists,
we are creating coalitions
with other freedom fighters
of all races, classes and genders.
Eco-conscientious, not eco-unprincipled,
shall be our guiding lights.
With warm hearts and wise minds,
let our transformative vision
become the changes we wish to see on Earth.
As ecological activists,
we are working together
with eco-feminists, animal liberationists, green politicians,
Earth scientists and environmental engineers.
Across our vast global village,
we shall meet in the middle,
transcending our differences
and celebrating our commonalities.
Let us become an intentional community,
coming together in love and peace.
Like interweaving threads of a living tapestry
on the loom of life,
we all co-create our interconnected Earth community---
Namaste.
© 2024 Rupert Raj
