Shocked and horrified at this brutal act. I was moved to write this today. May her bereaved family be comforted. God bless her husband and those poor children. R.I.P. Jo. x
National Pride
I’m proud to be born British, though of course I had no choice,
Just a fortunate coincidence, in which I still rejoice.
But I’m always careful to ensure I keep it in perspective,
Not like raving mad extremists, whose values are defective.
The moment that your so-called pride degenerates to hate,
It transforms to a poison and begins to generate,
Such negative emotions, and intolerance for those,
Who you see as being different, whose views you might oppose.
We live in a democracy, and we’re all at liberty,
To vote against the policies with which we disagree.
The rule of gun or knife or bomb must never prosper here,
Reject all terrorism, and attempts to rule by fear.
There’s no-one born with hatred, existing in their heart,
It’s something children can be taught, right from the very start.
So wicked to do that to them, when parents ought to share,
A loving value system, for people everywhere.
A happy child, brought up to have an open, caring mind,
To respect the views of others, and to see all of mankind,
As their brothers and their sisters as they journey on through life,
Resisting those whose evil ways, bring hurt and awful strife.
To drag us to those murky depths of prejudice and pain,
Where acceptance is a stranger, where fear and anger reign,
With every outrage that we see, it always demonstrates,
Where hatred darkens every life, love illuminates…
