I’m listening to the news,

in Turkey, in Syria,

people weeping, people waiting,

clothes, food, water, warmth,

are all in short supply,

a photo is described,

a father vainly clutching the hand

of his dead daughter, hope is gone,

but he cannot let her go….

but hope sparks,

a baby has been born under the rubble,

and is rescued, no news of the mother……..

people weeping, people waiting,

clothes, food, water, warmth

all all in short supply….

humanity here is raw,

life is tooth and claw,

a struggle to survive….

+

more news follows,

across the world in London

the General Synod of the Church of England sits

in more opulent surroundings,

there is no shortage here, no lack

of clothes, food, water, and the temperature is fine…

but is there warmth?

Or are hackles raised and swords drawn

as the members sit and wait

for the afternoon debate, the question of blessing

the seemingly un-bless-able….

for some, and

humanity here is raw,

life is tooth and claw,

a struggle to survive….