Adjuration

A meditation on hatred and violence

Hatred not by

Hatred ceases;

The record reveals

It oft increases.

A wise man once

These words did say,

But few have listened,

Unto this day.

Author's Note

With thanks to the Buddha. Inspired by current events.

Reviews

[Robert Trakofler]

short sweet and true A bounty in brevity and clever as hell the way you threaded those lines together! Good sir I really like this one!

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, Bunny. I felt such words were needed at this time.

[Robert Trakofler]

psst i forgot to mention i really like that word adjuration:)

[Chris Shaw]

Hatred breeds hatred. Jump on that band waggon and you will never arrive at a peaceful destination. Demonstrations everywhere. Some are peaceful but there are incidents of violence. It is tge violence you remember. The cause becomes diluted. Strong write John.

Chris

[Neville]

there is far more truth here than might first meet the eye, or otherwise be assumed... the first stanza or statement = Hatred not by Hatred ceases;..... really is a lesson for the whole world needs to be exposed to

Cheers John

Neville

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, Nev. The Buddha was terse and succinct, but he really knew how to pack his words with power.

[Neville]

Having devoted almost my entire adult life to date to his lead, I aint gonna argue John AGT's,

Neville

[AJNJ]

It’s like a chain reaction, a series of bombs going off, each bigger than the previous. Hatred fuels more hatred and is a catalyst for devastation. I appreciate your words here very much.

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, and I think you have captured the essence of the situation. The internet can be like an enormous megaphone.

[AJNJ]

Indeed, amplifying every sound...
You’re most welcome...

[Dave Brown]

there is no humor here John, just a sorry reflection of the way things currently are.
It is as though people were looking for an excuse to break free of virus constraints and unfortunately something every bit as sick reared its ugly head

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, Dave. I just wasn't in a humorous mood. I think the stress generated by the virus and job losses was set off explosively by a very ugly incident.

[Dee Oddbins]

Buddha was indeed a wise man, John, I am not sure what he would say today, he might just cry

[John the Baptist]

Thanks. Indeed, I don't think he would be encouraged. On the other hand, I don't think he' throw in the towel, either.

[Lydia Shutter]

Buddha knew what he was talking about. These horrible riots are continuing all over the USA....and they are here in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. We are under a curfew now. As if Covid-19 and hurricane season beginning were not enough. No, hatred does not erase hatred....it only intensifies it. Great write. Lydi**

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, Lydi. You're right; we on the east coast are facing a triple threat now. But it will pass.

[.]

Buddha was a smart man, dear John. Our world could really use his wisdom at the moment. Its been a very testing year so far! Its a tragedy that even after all our years of humankind we still can't understand the truth in his simple message. I loved the title here, its very fitting and your words are full of wisdom in their brevity, as always. Thanx for the reminder! Much enjoyed! :))

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, Jamila. It's getting so that I am afraid to pick up the morning paper because of the ongoing, multi-front bad news. Hope things are better in La France.

[Lorry]

It seems that some keep us with one foot firmly set in the dark ages, most likely believing the bile of their ancestry, indoctrinated in childhood, as the innocents believe their heroes, only to disregard that hero status in teenage years, but keep their mindset that pigmentation matters.
How a person has time to dislike entire races i do not know. I have trouble keeping a grudge against one person for very long, usually ended by a knowing shrug that i was probably just grumpy that morning.
Now we all wait for the inevitable, protesters finding the same fate in one mans hate filled moment of "reasonable force."
The headlines have probably already been written, awaiting only the name.

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, Lorry. It's a cliche, but sometimes when it rains, it really does pour. Thank God for merlot.