Mercy
Mitgefühl-von Rudy Francisco
Sie bittet mich, die Spinne zu töten.
Stattdessen hole ich die
friedlichsten Waffen, die ich finden kann.
Ich nehme eine Tasse und eine Serviette.
Ich fange die Spinne, setze sie draußen aus
und erlaube ihr, wegzulaufen.
Wenn ich jemals am falschen Ort zur falschen Zeit
erwischt werde, einfach nur lebendig bin
ohne jemanden zu belästigen,
hoffe ich, dass man mir
mit der gleichen Art
von Mitgefühl begegnet.
________________________________________________________Kernfragen zum Nachdenken: Was bewirkt der Begriff Mitgefühl bei Ihnen? Können Sie eine persönliche Geschichte erzählen, in der Sie Mitgefühl erfahren haben? Was hilft Ihnen, Barmherzigkeit zu praktizieren?
______________________________________________________
Rudy Francisco ist ein Dichter des gesprochenen Wortes. Er nutzt persönliche Narrative, um die Politik der Rasse, der Klasse, des Geschlechts und der Religion zu erörtern und gleichzeitig die mit allem verbundene Natur der menschlichen Existenz aufzuzeigen und zu bekräftigen.
Rudy Francisco is a Spoken Word poet. He uses personal narratives to discuss the politics of race, class, gender and religion while simultaneously pinpointing and reinforcing the interconnected nature of human existence.
SEED QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: How do you relate to the notion of mercy? Can you share a personal story of a time you experienced mercy? What helps you practice mercy?
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29 Past Reflections
On Apr 24, 2024 Avenue 17 wrote :
I think, that you are mistaken. Let's discuss. Write to me in PM.
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On Mar 21, 2024 Big g wrote :
Very beutiful, it really touched my heart. Personally i weouldve killed it.
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On Mar 5, 2024 ggensissss wrote :
La refleccion que tengo, es mucha, aveces me siento asi, atrapada sin poder hacer algo, solo sobrepienso durante mucho, sin encintrar respuesta.
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On Mar 5, 2024 Emely wrote :
si alguna ves estoy atrapada viva sin molestar a nadie espero me resivan de la misma manera igual como no lastimo a nadei que madie me lastime a mi
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On Mar 5, 2024 Keylin wrote :
que rudy Fransisco discutia la politica de Raza,clase,generous,religion. etc
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On Nov 11, 2023 Tim Wixted wrote :
This is a response to the poem "Allowables" by Nikki Giovanni.
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On Aug 3, 2023 Carole wrote :
Can relate this to so many displaced animals and people. Beautiful.
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On Mar 10, 2023 Carroll Damron wrote :
Hi awakin.org webmaster, Your posts are always well written and informative.
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On Feb 15, 2023 Anneliese Wedding wrote :
To the awakin.org admin, Your posts are always a great read.
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On Nov 28, 2022 Karen White Porter wrote :
I love this poem because it brings a deeper meaning to the children's book I wrote entitled 'I Feel Afraid When I See a Spider.' This book is a beginning reader that shows this exact scenario. I never thought the story was about mercy until just now. Thank you Rudy Francisco!
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On Jan 19, 2022 Kristin Pedemonti wrote :
I relate 100% to this notion of mercy and try my utmost to practice it whether that is sharing meals and listening with unhoused people or being kind to everyone I meet in every encounter even the gruffest folks (often they need kindness more than we know).
A thought of mercy was when I was in Poland March 2013 after performing in a Storytelling Festival; I became very ill with a severe flu. I was too sick to fly home. I was staying with the Storyteller at his home, but there was no heat other than a very small wood stove and a blizzard. Another person staying stayed up all night feeding the woodstove and the Storyteller insisted I sleep closest to the fire. This was many layers of mercy.
What helps me practice mercy is to always pause and say: This is a person in need of grace and kindness. They are hurting enough.
And I might ask myself: how would I hope someone would treat me in a similar situation?
A thought of mercy was when I was in Poland March 2013 after performing in a Storytelling Festival; I became very ill with a severe flu. I was too sick to fly home. I was staying with the Storyteller at his home, but there was no heat other than a very small wood stove and a blizzard. Another person staying stayed up all night feeding the woodstove and the Storyteller insisted I sleep closest to the fire. This was many layers of mercy.
What helps me practice mercy is to always pause and say: This is a person in need of grace and kindness. They are hurting enough.
And I might ask myself: how would I hope someone would treat me in a similar situation?
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On Jan 18, 2022 Mary Lou Jorgensen-Bacher wrote :
Mercy. I have never really thought about it - yes, as a part of the "FAITH, HOPE and LOVE" idea, I have, but as an entity unto itself, I have not really. Mercy. I will repeat it again. MERCY.
I suffered a brain haemorrhage, in the fall of 1974. I was on a Gr. 13 Retreat, when the haemorrhage occurred, specifically involved in "reaching out to my other Gr. 13 students", who were not always so "RELIGIOUS". But I was going to make them to be SO!!!!!!
BUT, I had a brain haemorrhage, putting my unconscious body in hospital for 8 weeks, in intensive care for 6 weeks, and in hospital for 7 Months. I was an honours student, was First Vice President of the O.C.S.F. - I was going great guns. This happened over 47 years ago. FORTY-SEVEN years ago.
I was fortunate enough to have had Fr. Terry Gallagher as the Priest - making it a GOOD affair. He is an amazing person - always so "coming forth" and also a GOOD MAN.
I have worked for the MOL, for 29.3 years time.
I have marr... [View Full Comment]
2 replies: Mary, Me | Post Your Reply
On Jan 18, 2022 Miriam wrote :
I have a special apparatus that safely captures insects and safely releases them. It was given to me by my brother-in-law and he told him it cost him a dollar. I started using it constantly when I reached a point where killing an insect hurt my heart. Approximately 12 years later I still use it and it is my most precious possession.
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On Jan 18, 2022 Patrick wrote :
Ah yes, there is the Tibetan monk in me as well. Whenever my wife asks me to get rid of a spider, moth or other critter in our house, I gently take them outside and release them. }:- a.m.
1 reply: Me | Post Your Reply
On Jan 18, 2022 Karen wrote :
I actually did exactly this when I was with a group of people - one of whom was afraid of spiders and others who were-well thinking the solution might be to kill said spider. I asked what was going on (as I had been a little far when the ruckus started) and I was told. So I asked if they could just please give me a second before they did anything and I looked around - and there of course as the universe would have it was a cup - so I wiped it off as I was unsure how the spider would do if exposed to coffee remants-sort of goofy I realized later but I did not want to inadvertently drown it! and got a napkin and picked it up carefully and put it inside the cup and covered it- then I asked if the person so fearful would like to look at the spider before I took it outside - just so she could see it close and innocent not about to bite her at all- and to my surprise and delight she said yes and she looked at it a bit and so did a few others and then I took it outside -yes talking to it all... [View Full Comment]
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On Jan 18, 2022 Peter wrote :
Earlier in my life I would reflexively kill an insect in my home. But as I aged I changed. Starting several years ago I release all insects in my home including at different times: yellow jackets which I somehow coaxed to the front door from upstairs and saw them out. I felt & feel much better about this humane approach for obvious reasoning,
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On Jan 15, 2022 David Doane wrote :
Mercy is to be kind or forgiving toward someone whom you could hurt or punish. I've experienced mercy many times, both giving it and receiving it. Years ago, a professor could have been harsh and punitive, and instead was merciful. Once upon a time a young guy drove his car through the fence around our yard, and I could have been mean and punitive, and instead I was merciful. We're always in danger of being caught in the wrong place at the wrong time by something -- the system, an illness, a thief, a tornado, an accident. We can each use some mercy at some time. What helps me practice mercy is believing that mercy does more for fostering healing and growth than harshness and what's called punishment, which is usually revenge and not punishment, and remembering how much I have appreciated receiving mercy. Also, I feel better being merciful than being harsh or punitive.
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On Jan 14, 2022 NAREN KINI wrote :
At the outset when I read these lines, my mind started working on it. Just as the word gives power to the one showing it and taking power away from the person receiving it - the very word MERCY like any other word that gives power and takes it away seemed very odd and uncomfortable. I am yet to meet a kind person who has said to me, I was merciful or I showed mercy on the poor thing..etc., Yet, it is a powerful word to reflect for sure.
In our day to day activities, unbeknownst to us, we get presented with several situations that will call for us to show it - when no body is watching! What is natural to all human hearts is compassion and love. Mercy is a manifestation of those qualities.
A personal story that comes to mind is when we were having lunch in the backyard and a kite dropped a lizard it had in its claws I suppose. It fell inches from my daughter. Shining blue scales and amazing creation was helpless and probably as hurt badly. No CPR if possible could probably have sa... [View Full Comment]
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On Jan 14, 2022 Jagdish P Dave wrote :
According to my understanding mercy is one the most outstanding spiritual virtues. Mercy is diiferent from fogiveness. When sombody does something wrong to me I forgive that person. I do not counteract and I do not hold onto it. I let go. In mercy I act and and offer my helping hands to help the person with kindness in my heart. Mercy involes forgiveness but it goes byond forgiveness. Mercy has three elements: Paying attention, having empathy, and acting-taking steps to help the person who did somthing wrong.
My heart was deeply hurt by somone whom I deeply and passonately loved. She did not show empathy when I was deeply suffering. It was a very painful exprience for me to go through. I needed time to recover and heal. I did not hold on to my pain. I worked on it mindfully. I have let go of my resentment and I am realting to the person who caused pain in me with in a loving and kind way. I feelt peace in me . Showing mercy to onelf and to others heals wounds of oneself and others.... [View Full Comment]