Sheila's Dribs 'n Drabs

"Is it lawful to pay taxes, pray?" The Teacher didn't say. Instead he asked them, let him see the coin, so they and he could know to whom it should be given.   So now a judge is asked to say "Define a woman," doesn't say; wisely suggests they look instead at what is known and what perceived and learn what they believe.   What of the babies born who don't appear as boy or girl? What God left undefined, should man decide or wait until the child rescinds  the lonely "I don't know"?   What of the babies born so changed that science has no gender-name? Should faith or law decide for them or science, or just wait again; allow an "I don't know"?   And if the child's appearance might be "wrong" and if their DNA might give no answer, surely they, and others too, are "neither"; we’ve no right to choose or say. So ask the judge if that you will. It's not her ch

It’s not because they look like me; It’s not because their world seems just Like mine. It’s not because I cry More for their child than those who died Before. These aren’t the things that frighten me, That drive me to the news each night, That make me read intensely of The progress and the cruel plight Of war. My fear is that the battle ground Encompass all, because the sound Of fury with the lethal might Of weapons flying day and night, Is more. It’s more than death of wife or child, Of soldier, town or village, for Before us stands the death of life Itself, at one misstep, destruction Sure. And so I cry.