The Taste of War by Janette Damsma

I wrote this one a while back but felt it correspond with my mood and with what is going on around us in the world today. 

THE TASTE OF WAR

Feeling an unsettling deep inside
A fiery churning which I recognize
As the taste of war. 

So what can I do here?
I cannot hide
Telling me to live in fear
But this is a lie.
I remember a dark force conspiring in me
Whispering this lie as a pre-teen in hiding
In the camper in our back yard;
Hiding from my mother, a phone call, a guy.
There was nothing to hide from
It was this same lie
The war that I felt was only inside
Inside two conflicting states of mind
One love, one war
Time to leave war behind.

I went to bed soundly with a needing for sleep
Thinking that the war that I tasted would diminish with my drifting
Woke to find that the taste was stronger;
Gunshots blaring from the TV below
Not in my own wilderness home
Waking from a dream where war was happening, too
Reminding me precisely of what I can do
To rid myself now of the taste of this war
Remember.  Recognize.
Point out the lies
Watch as they fall away like they do
When I recognize them
Leaving only what's true.
Saying hello to the taste of war
Watching the turn from hello to goodbye
Well wishes, understanding
No more tears from my eyes
Thanking the lies; they teach me well
Eyes wide open and hands open, too
Open to receive God, open to give
Open to see Truth, daring to live
Open to rise with My Self inside
Open to feel love, choosing what's mine
Feeling my purpose, knowing what's true
Acting my wisdom, sharing with You
Telling my story, sending out light
Lighting my whole world, choosing what's right
Acting with mindfulness, being what's me
ALL LIGHT AND BEAUTY
changing… Free ~

Janette Damsma