Awesome and Beautiful Words
This is a quotation which tanidareal posted on her LJ, in German. It is by Jim Willms, who I can't find much about.
Every time I read it the power of the words enthralls me, and deeply touches me. I have (and want) no religion, yet I don't mind the reference to god because the meaning of the words absolutely reaches into my spirit, what I am and what I care about.
They are words of utter truth. If we care about the non-humans we share our lives with, as we should, we all have responsibility. Not only to get angry about cruelty and neglect, but as individuals to do something to redress it.
In English:
I looked at all these animals...
the disposable products of human society.
I saw in their eyes of love and hope,
Fear and terror, sadness and betrayal.
And I was full of anger.
'God', I said, 'this is terrible!'
'Why do you not do something?'
God was silent for a long moment, and then he spoke softly.
'I did something', he replied. 'I have sent you'.
Jim Willms, 1999
Every time I read it the power of the words enthralls me, and deeply touches me. I have (and want) no religion, yet I don't mind the reference to god because the meaning of the words absolutely reaches into my spirit, what I am and what I care about.
They are words of utter truth. If we care about the non-humans we share our lives with, as we should, we all have responsibility. Not only to get angry about cruelty and neglect, but as individuals to do something to redress it.
In English:
I looked at all these animals...
the disposable products of human society.
I saw in their eyes of love and hope,
Fear and terror, sadness and betrayal.
And I was full of anger.
'God', I said, 'this is terrible!'
'Why do you not do something?'
God was silent for a long moment, and then he spoke softly.
'I did something', he replied. 'I have sent you'.
Jim Willms, 1999