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Michael Warden's avatar

Bravo! Inspiring us all, gently and warmly, to take the right option! There's really only apocaloptimism or giving up, and I know which I prefer!

Having confessed in an earlier comment that poetry is the form of the arts I find least accessible, I am also delighted that you quote from the one I most relate to - the spiritual giant from my hometown of London, William Blake. If I may, I'll offer back another line from the same poem: "Across all human lands, tools were made, and born were hands". This line for me evokes for me a world founded on humanity and human participation. A vision which certain apocalyptic forces now seek to eradicate. A vision which you and I and a great many others strive to keep alive. And we shall.

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Rev Katie Grace's avatar

Apocaloptimist...that's a word that could only have been coined for our chaotic times.

The wisdom in your essay, summed up by Blakes poem:

We were made for joy and woe,

And when this we rightly know,

Through the world we safely go

Our hearts are safer when we rightly know this. When we understand that both joy and sorrow are part of life and if we keep our hearts open through both, we can stay optimistic until the end. As long as we're still here, the story isn't done yet. So we may as well become the change we wish to see while we play it all out. Glad Samson got a reprieve and you got a great hug from Henry!

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