TOLERANCE PERCHANCE

by The Bangkok Bards
Charles Frederickson & Saknarin Chinayote

  ACCEPTANCE
Buddhists Christians Hindus Jews Muslims
Believe in compassionate multiversity values
Humility kindness dignity mutual respect
Civilized compromises agreeing to disagree

BALANCE
Same-same yet somehow different
Seen through refocused laser gaze
Cherish our commonalities honor discrepancies
Superiority complexes falling through cracks

ENDURANCE
Religions teach empathy not enmity
Universal red blood donor brotherhood
Imperfect beings inhabiting peaceful planet
Sacred principles uncovered deep within

FORBEARANCE
Education learning life-altering lessons
One’s enemy the best teacher
Common sense accepting forgiveness as
Rare as quality of mercy

SUFFERANCE
True lie lovers worshiping freedoms
Telescopic visionaries modifying radical approaches
Irrespective of perverse background perspectives
Matter-of-fact conscience conviction not convenience

REASSURANCE
Acknowledging disowned zero level tolerance
Bent on hateful fear violence
Distorted mirror image shattered stereotypes
Up-tight bigoted assholes prejudicing mindsets

No Holds Bard Dr. Charles Frederickson and Mr. Saknarin Chinayote proudly present YouTube mini-movies @ YouTube – CharlesThai1 .  

GETTING OFF ON THE RIGHT FOOT

by George Held

Image source: The Telegraph

I

My God, what’s this old bugger doing,

down on his knees, pouring water out that silver pitcher,

washing my feet, his bald dome at my knees?

I hear him huffing and puffing, muttering

about humility and service.

What’s he doing now—kissing my feet!

My God, no wonder the warden made us

wash them before we came here to meet

this new pope, the hope of the Church

that no one goes to anymore.

Now he’s washing the feet of a girl,

a ho’ and a Muslim—she’s wearing a head rag—

who lucked out in the draw at the Casal

del Marmo, where we’re detainees

till the judges decide our fate.

Christ, I should get released now that I’ve

had my friggin’ feet kissed byil papa. Maybe

I’ll win the lotto now so I don’t have to mug

any more tourists. What to make of this feat –

having the pope wash and kiss my feet?

It’s a friggin’ miracle, ain’t it?

II

My son, allow me, your humble servant,

To kneel before you and lift your foot

So I can pour this holy water on it

And wash it clean of dirt and sins to boot.

I have done this in the streets of Buenos

Aires, where I have served as head Jesuit,

Then archbishop and cardinal, till raised

To the Seat of St. Peter, the top of it,

The Roman Catholic Church, so besotted

With scandal with which I must deal.

Let, O Lord, this ritual washing and kissing

Of feet be a symbol of my desire to heal.

Soon God will help me figure how to quash our woes –

Abuse, corruption; now I bow to kiss these humble toes.

An occasional contributor to The New Verse News, George Held occasionally blogs at www.georgeheld.blogspot.com