I wish my friends a peaceful 2016, although it is not easy to pass the year in the true spirit of peace because of the obvious clash of two cultures. It is a time to reflect to save the citizens of the global village from further torture in the name of God, Who is the embodiment of peace in the Hindu scriptures: Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti Om. The word Om has been used in Christian scripture as Omega for God. Christ said, blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Om is a Sanskrit word and Omega is a Latin word. Language scholars point out that both Sanskrit and Latin belong to the same family. Gautam Buddha preached and followed the same path of peace. This is also the Gandhian way to produce a symphony of human hearts and this is the way to survive and prosper in the complex world of today.
I believe that peace is the blissful child of peaceful means. HOWEVER:
ON THE NEW YEAR
What then
if it is a New Year !
This day is the same
as any other day of last week
even last year.
The wilful ghosts of sorrow
have not dissolved
nor have the fogs of ignorance
which float over the cold tombs.
Rather,
they have grown in strength
in the gloom of violence.
If nights were replaced by days
just by thinking,
the corners of darkness
would have been lit by now.

Eaters of stale crumbs
in the mornings
should have been welcomed
by the appetizing smells
of fresh and warm foods.
The hours of suffering
would have been reduced,
joys lasted longer
and lives changed.
When this sun does not surge
it does not matter
what year or date it is !
Just by the murmurs of the clock
history does not alter,
life will not wear
another mantle;
only calendars become new.
Some cards are traded
feasts are arranged.
This is not a change.
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Stephen Gill
www.stephengill.ca
www.stephengillcriticism.info