Image: Soup Kitchen for the Homeless (here)
Note: Sacrifices involve too many minds of those committed to their cause
The Prose
Sacrifice as one understands it involves the offering of
animals fruits or food. This is in particular reference to religious beliefs
such as Judaism’s Korban and the Muslim’s Qurban. Live animals
are sacrificed in ritual killings where portions of the animals are later distributed
to the poor
Sacrifice more as of choice were the heroic exploits of Japanese
pilots in WWII. They crashed their planes in hara-kiri fashion onto
their targets to inflict maximum damage.. Another was the ultimate act of suttee
which was imposed rather than of choice ( a widow’s sacrifice at her husband’s
funeral pyre) which had since been banned.
On a personal basis was Sir Timothy Berners-Lee’s insistence
not to profit from his invention of the world-wide-web ‘which is rather for the
benefit of mankind’ he said. One could not ignore that of Nelson Mandela’s who did
away with any thoughts of vengeance against his detractors or that of the Dalai
Lama’s who soldiered on. To round off was the sacrifice of the world’s biggest philanthropist
Bill Gates of his billions!
The Poem (tanka)
11 of 12 given words:
bell gloss itch spring track lost
mission sense willing stand pay
Does it ring a bell?
To gloss over past glories
Itching to spring forth
To back-track and not moving
forward. It is a lost cause!
Mission in life is
better served with sense of pride
Willing to take a
stand with debts to society
paid off with sacrifices
For Toni's at d'Verse Haibun Monday #14 - too many minds
MLMM's Sunday Whirl Wordle #252
I would say that sacrifices can sooth a disturbed conscience... maybe that's why the world has philanthropists
ReplyDeleteNodding my head here. Many good thoughts of one compassionate mind!
ReplyDeleteGiving back is so much better, and healthier, than hoarding. Good thoughts here
ReplyDeleteWise words, Hank.
ReplyDeleteGiving back sure can tackle anything owed, whether literal or figurative
ReplyDeleteI hope it's okay to express doubt at the sacrifice of the widow's life being mentioned in the same breath as the others, in fact the only one I approve of is Gates and his billions. Please don't be mad at me.
ReplyDeleteInteresting take on relaxation. I understand totally that serving others and helping can be relaxing. Sharing is indeed better than hoarding or amassing junk that one doesn't need but only wants. I think maybe multi-tasking on this one, the form and prompt got a little hidden. I do much time at our local Food Bank in various tasks. It is soothing but not really relaxing, to me. I'm sure those who have their hunger assuaged relax though.
ReplyDeleteThis was a compassionate verse Hank, how much better it is to give back. Excellent write.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Letting go of self through sacrifice is freeing and thus relaxing. It's letting go of the struggle to hold on to whatever and that clogs the mind and soul.
ReplyDeleteWell said, Hank! Giving back to others is both a greater glory and a better feeling.
ReplyDeleteSMIles..
ReplyDeletetrUly.. iT's
imPossiBle
to give the
most by folloWing
oLd ruLes.. to give is
not to take.. including
animal blood.. and lives
of others.. the
give is
without
take in
fearless
GiVinG Love..
withOut harm
to oTheRs mY friEnd..:)
Golden NEW rULE..
FearLess Love.. NO
hArm To creaTioN ONE..:)
As printED by SuN
AnD ShadeS oN mY bE
forEhead selFie waY..;)
AnD thE conText oF thAT
lasT Fred KU.. biGGer viEW..
reQuires deTail SeeiNG mY Friend..;)
And SeeKinG
EXploRinG
FinDinG
Too..2..;)
I admire those people who makes great sacrifices ~
ReplyDeleteI found the prose to be informative and concise. This is an interesting response to the prompt.
ReplyDeletePerhaps you are suggesting that, without all such events, humanity might relax?
ReplyDelete