ART & POETRY BY PAUL & KATHY BOECHER©

The sounds of the city are many. Most of them created by means of transportation. Trains, carrying passengers or large box cars filled with goods going to market. The commuter trains that have taken the place of automobiles for some. The traffic sounds, the sounds of a jack hammer pounding concrete, a nail gun shooting staples into new construction, a jet flying overhead – all begin to sound like an orchestra of different notes and beats.

Our lives are filled with sounds. When the sound of terrorism strikes, we all stand at attention. Our minds fill with opinions before we can even begin to sort through all the elements of the news. Some will wait for the full story, while others demand response immediately. This is what happened in my neck of the woods this past weekend. Two people were killed and two wounded by an assassin’s bullets. It was to be a day of friendly protest. Unfortunately, protests seldom are. We still possess the right to do so, but more often than not, they accelerate. The assassin has been located and arrested. More and more facts will be revealed about this man and his reasons for taking lives and ruining others. We will argue as to the political relevance. We will get angry. We will blame and get angrier. Whenever there is terrorism, there will be rage and hatred. When we form opinions immediately, we are adding fuel to the fire.

I am not an expert on the whys or wherefores, but as a citizen of this country, I am truly worried that so many have forgotten how to solve problems without violence or anger. We really need to step back and take a breath. God did not cause this to happen. He is, however, in control of the final result. Justice will be served.

I listen to the sounds –

The crashing of the large containers as they are transferred to waiting freight trains.

The rat- a- tat of the nail gun as a new roof is installed.

The gentle breeze wafting its way through the trees – tickling them as she passes.

The laughter of a young child – the angry groan of a car starting.

Birds chirping – doors slamming – the classical music emoting from the radio.

Distant sounds of traffic – an occasional jet flying overhead – the whir of a helicopter.

Sounds of the city – always motion – always life – sometimes confusion

And yet these sounds don’t agitate – they let you know the world is still alive.

When the sound of gunfire fills the air,

When senseless loss of life occurs,

We may forget to turn to the only One entitled to pass judgement.

PRAY FOR OUR COUNTRY