The Sacrificial Stone

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Gathered shadows stretch aground

and draw the eve anew,

shrouding faces none will know

beyond the bloody coup.

History myth and fable

groomed and readied to be told,

? justify the passage

?men have torn into the fold.

Tales beyond all measure.

Weeping truth to still the tongue -

taught and tended by the elder,

??? hushed and hurried by the young.

Beneath what banner do we rally?

Whose allegiance do we swear?

What’s the cost of doing battle

when there’s no one left to care?

Of all peoples persecuted,

of all soldiers marching home,

?? who’ll be left behind to cradle

????? all the children left alone?

What silence haunts this cursed place.

what tortured whispers moan,

?? from ghosts who come and kneel upon

?????? the sacrificial stone.

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The header image is taken from Circles in the Sand, a book of poetry by Cirse Windom

(C) 1998 Cirse Windom (Lisa Bracken)

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#lisabracken ?#art ?#poetry ?#meditation ?#flow ?#harmony ?#perspective ?#war ?#violence ?#discord ?#sacrifice ?#thesacrificialstone ?#battle ?#conflict ?#combat ?#loss ?#cost ?#abetterwayforward

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Note [02-24-22 - Russia invades Ukraine]

As a species, we've drawn ourselves further along yet another threshold. A more deeply descending fault of fractured, reactive civilization.

As an empathic and empathetic individual, the pain the suffering of life on this planet is channeled deeply through my core. That attuned sense produces both a heightened degree of perception and intuition, as well as a great and abiding sadness. Great and abiding awareness, acceptance, and a great and abiding commitment to a much higher imperative than many now see or even feel... but perhaps know instinctively.

Battles take many forms, the field of engagement fluid in shape. Outcome and costs - even objective and reward often unclear. I have lost loved ones to the field. Allowed myself no more than 24 hours to mourn their loss. Carried forth knowing the wrenching pain and irrecoverable losses of intimate conflict. Loss of love, emotion, self, loss of time and potential.

Toward what may yet manifest as a rising of consciousness, concurrent with overwhelming discord now encroaching on every resonant spirit, I present the outward constructs of that sensing, so compelling to me. So requiring of resolution and higher transformation.

For me, this becomes a realm of meditation, creation, flow and regeneration, more of which I will begin incorporating into my posts and preserving as articles in the featured section of my profile.

Above then: A reflective piece penned in 1998, which embraces at once a perspective on history, perpetual discord, rending violence, evasive peace, and our patient, indulgent and graceful host - every new dawn awaiting our awakening.

Appropriate as we choose now, whether to divide ourselves or unify in preserving what remains of our shared, precious planet and all remaining life upon it.