the pub of transience...

well, it seems that the furor still rages about the caricatures of mohammed (pbuh) in that danish newspaper. i've already written my piece on it, but i'll just add this poem below, written very recently as another expression of my thoughts on the whole flap...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Pull up a stool
At the pub of transience
And rest your weary soul.
Recharge your intelligence
With a cup of candor.
Resolve your self-worth
With a pint of tolerance.
Indulge in a mug of levity
Because taking yourself too seriously
Is just another addiction.

Entrust the barkeep
To pour you a shot
Of her best caricature—
But don’t react too harshly
If it doesn’t suit your tastes.
After all, one woman’s poison
Is another woman’s ambrosia.

To some, this is a house of worship,
While others call it a den of miscreancy.
Depending upon your
Viewpoint
Preference
Inebriation,
It can be either, neither, or both.

Just as it’s her right
To create as she sees fit,
It’s not hers to force you to imbibe;
And just as it’s your right
Not to accept her endeavour,
It’s not yours to react violently.

The pub of transience
Is just that:
A public place shared
By those who cross the threshold
For only a short period of time.
It’s best to partake judiciously,
Share accordingly,
Listen tolerantly,
Banter gracefully,
React graciously,
Understand rationally,
Mingle curiously
All without demanding of others
Their acceptance of your dogma.

Leave the pub as neat
As possible for those who
Come after you because,
Don’t forget, you are more ephemeral
Than is the pub of transience.


Gangneung
08.02.06