As life slows down
We get a chance to look around us more carefully
No longer rushing about
We can linger and ponder
Longing for connection
We find new ways of reaching out
Technology is crucial in our lives
People passing away
Makes us reassess our priorities
We look at our lives and think what makes us happy
No longer having easy access to material things
We wonder how much we actually need
When life is simpler
And there is more time for contemplation
We can rearrange our lives
May 27th, 2020
Lives lost
Games played
Risks taken
Show of force
Missiles fired
Human error
Devastation
Lives lost
Youthful lives taken away
Children’s lives stolen
Families mourn
A single red shoe
A reminder of the passengers onthe plane
The cockpit riddled with shrapnel pieces
Evidence of the missile fired
Countrymen on both sides of the Atlantic weep
They light candles
And talk about their friends and family
People who had plans for their lives
There is also anger
Anger at incompetence
A few decisions
Having taken these innocent lives
Anger that we still use war
To problem solve
We play with people’s lives
As if they are dispensable
Lives lost
Grief abounds
I don’t think time will heal these wounds
September 13th, 2020
Some people travel to see places
Old buildings, ornate churches, famous landmarks…
You get my point
And there is nothing wrong with that of course
But I travel to see people
To experience other cultures
To expose myself to other ways of thought
Don’t take me to a resort
There is not much to learn there for me
The walls, the swimming pool, the restaurants
Don’t have any lessons for me
But bring me in contact with the locals
Invite me into their lives
And that will make me extremely happy
Because I’m the tourist of cultures
Not of ruins
I learn from people
Not from buildings
Rest and relaxation
I can do close to where I live
Exploring other cultures
A reason to travel for me
Don’t bring me to hotels
Bring me to homes
Where the people are
Don’t bring me to restaurants
Bring me to kitchen tables
Where the food is prepared with love
Don’t bring me to big cities
Being me to towns
Bring me to the country side
I’m a tourist of people, not of places
I’m not looking for what’s outside
Bring me inside into people’s lives, into their homes
And into their hearts!
Lida Berghuis
August 4th, 2013
lida's musings 