brian shivers

It's time to  Confess The sin of the empire That cannot understand  It's own proclivity to Oppress others  in the name of National security It's time to Confess The sin of the institution That cannot recognize  It's own tendency to Keep people in their place  In the name of Its vitality It's time to Confess  The sin of the group That cannot stop It's own penchant to Ostracize others  In the name of  Tribal purity It's time to Confess  The sin of the individual  Who cannot avoid Their own impulse to  Deny the rights of others In the name of Self righteousness

(a poem) I don't need      to understand the science           the hows and the whats. I don't need      to believe in the God           you name and you praise. I need to care. I need to know      that my children      your children      and our children's           children's           children      around the world will breathe      the air           we now share will inherit      the earth           we leave behind for better      for worse. May we live      passionately      fully with them      in our mind,      in our heart,      in the manner           in which we care ...

(a poem) Faith is not a possession; nor is it a measure of righteousness or personal piety. Faith is not something that separates me from you or anyone else; nor is it an object of oppression, a weapon of war, or a tool of torture. Faith is that in which we participate everyday. Faith is the grand counter-narrative to the fatalistic notion that nothing will ever change. Faith is living into the invitation to see the world in a new way. Faith is our active response as coauthors in the story, co-creators in this journey we share. Faith is.

(a poem) Startled awake by hope, longing, or fear. Was it a dream? Was it true? If just a dream how can we live as if it were something more; something real? If the rumors are true we may wonder, "What's next?" Either way things will never be the same; we can never be the same because of yesterday.