hospitality
Carpe Diem #1138 hospitality
The organized church to which I belong has been for several years pursuing the idea of 'radical hospitality'. An objective to go outside the wall and be neighbors. As a result there have developed blitz weekends where work is done in one's own community. Our church on the first weekend blitz built 20 or so ramps at homes for persons with handicaps. Packages of food and lap blankets were given to the folks. Elderly persons homes had yard work done along with window washing and of course more cookies. There were free oil change and haircut and other things to help those in need. That was 9 years ago and the work continues across the US with the blitzes. The work has developed mini blitzes throughout the year.
The New Colossus
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Emma Lazarus
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now we have the results of the 2016 elections. The promise of making America great again ... and the ban on travel from certain countries that pose a threat. Except one country where 15 of the 19 that flew planes into buildings on 9-11-2001. Where buildings trump-et one name. And a wall. And off-putting words to the world. Hospitality becomes hostility.
golden walls
above the huddled masses
removed
lady liberty's lamp
from beside the golden door
© petra domina
Thanks to Chèvrefeuille for daily prompts on
Great post. Typing error in nice passage about blitzes after the blankets part. Very fine tanka full of sincerity. When I read individual stories my mind reeld. An Iranian Phd student on holiday in Costa Rica flying through USA back to her home in Scotlsnd cannot even transit, has not enouhh money for her and her boyfriend's new flight arrangements which cost thousands.people who left their cars at the airport or pets with froends now cannot come back after business trip or visit. Your piece was brilliant.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads-up on the typo. Your praise and understanding gives hope.
DeleteGreat post. Typing error in nice passage about blitzes after the blankets part. Very fine tanka full of sincerity. When I read individual stories my mind reeld. An Iranian Phd student on holiday in Costa Rica flying through USA back to her home in Scotlsnd cannot even transit, has not enouhh money for her and her boyfriend's new flight arrangements which cost thousands.people who left their cars at the airport or pets with froends now cannot come back after business trip or visit. Your piece was brilliant.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful text. Thank you for reminding us this poem which is inscribed on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty. And in these troubled times, let's hope ever more in hospitality and reject hostility.
ReplyDeleteAmen!
DeleteThis is a great post Janice!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Birgitta.
DeleteI needed that!
ReplyDelete