A Call to Action for Syria

Step

Take a step

How do we live with the bitter sharp pain of knowing our lives are mostly in vain? That people, not us, are dying today, we speak with the ghosts of those newly slain. The children are dying, the uncles are dying, the nieces and nephews and sisters are dying, the equation of life simplified: x is crossed out, like the end of a sigh.

That life that was brown, like the sanctified earth do we need to take heed of a life such as that? Surely it’s worse, our life and our needs? This death far away, where the bones of gods lay, we quietly say: is the world purified? This is racism exemplified.

Step

Take a step

The world was created, paradise abated, fated to sink into sin so they say. We fight for these flaws, the slavering maw, shrieking sound of despair. Voices lifted up to the air and the president nods. More destruction, more war, more death at the door, more wives and more sons, break out the big guns, the grinding spares none, not the warrior nor those who are warred upon.

Step

Take a step

And my eyes slide away, and her head turns away, and he heads to the fray, bills always to pay, our lives must go on, we are not them, our truth is too bland, our sin is to see and to live in our land and do nothing.

For what can we do?

Step

Take a step

But this world is ours now, to live or dominion, to evolve or descend or Adam and Eve, this is our world, whatever belief you heed. Stand tall. Don’t look away, not tomorrow or today. We are each the hero we need. For We are all we have.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.

That being the case, when we see the wall rise, and the innocent fall, do we not have a duty to hear the broad call? So I ask, not so much, take care of your kids, your bits and bobs, your stuff and your bills and your thingamabobs, but do just a bit more, not with gun or with sword.

Step

Take a step

Just take a step toward the sound; just a step, nothing more. Give some green paper, don’t wait till it’s later, go to a meeting or vote, seek sanctuary for those whose life was brought low. Search the words on the web for some ways to be wise, be kinder to those who are different in mind.

Take a step. Just one. And maybe someday while you walk through the fray, that step will seem easy, practically peasy, and so then I would ask, though I know it’s a task, take another. For we are the heroes we seek in the theater, no suit of blue or shrieking to save her, no simple solving of wrong or of right, no buildings to smash, or climactic clash. Superheroes need not apply.

Step

Take a step

This home that we have, this life and this hope, it comes at a price, don’t you see? Don’t you know? Remember deep in, down in your soul, that life is a gift given out to us all. And the thing about gifts: they need a return, a gift for a gift is not such a bad burden. Give the gift of your help and your eyes and your sight, don’t look away, don’t ignore this fight. Just do one thing, I ask and I pray:

Take a step

Here’s some links to help you out in taking that step:

Charity Navigator Syrian Crisis

USA Today on how you can help Syria

Get started on making your hometown a Sanctuary City