A Tragedy is when both sides are convinced they are right; a Philosophy articulated by 19th-century German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel.   The conviction of being right hardens positions, and makes for great conflict and loss.

TRAGEDY IN THE MAKING

I am righteously on this side of the divide.
Yet you claim, the righteous patriot side.
I am committed to the lesson of love they neighbor.
You committed to law enforced, if need be, by the saber.

Manifest destiny fuels your imperious nature it seems.
While I know there is room for all peoples’ dreams.
You disdain the sciences you say have oppressed and masked you.
But I know that science and reason is best for all but a few.

Right deepens the gulf between your side and mine,
between the beating of heart and the reasoned mind.
Careening towards a tragedy of conflict, violence and loss
as our prosperity, our shared history and our values get tossed.

Thus, we have a tragedy of our own making
due to such extreme positions taken,
due to our failure to imagine a better place,
our failure to see beyond this tragic race.

IMAGINE HEAVEN

The difference between me and you
Is smaller and easier to get through
than any problem that’s been observed,
that this world or the next has ever heard.

When it’s a hug that is simply needed
and all perceived differences receded
as we feel the humanity of each other
and you know me as your loving brother.

With all the faults, failures and fears
having experienced, love, hurt and tears
for a hug to make us as one
in the brilliant light of the sun. 

As we shine now too with wisdom of the ages,
as we take our place with saints and sages
enjoying the harmony of life-everlasting, singing
a song that is right, loving and forgiving.

WE CHOOSE