B o r d e r s

/ delphini510

IMG_1599

Borders                                            

When does a river become a sea
the sweet water turn salty,
does it just flow and mingle?
Mingle in harmony,

How does a mountain become,
yours or mine, his or hers,
is it not always just its mighty self?
Part of the Earth, the wind, the Universe.

So tell me, how can we put borders
on mountains, in rivers and the sea,
How can we draw lines on the ocean,
on mighty mountains lay claim?

How can we, with impudence
Claim the Whole for ourselves

© miriam ivarson

Tor Heyerdahl quote

43 thoughts on “B o r d e r s”

  1. Wow! You capture with sublime poetry the idiocy and arrogance of man – to lay claim to the impossible! ‘The Whole’ as you so aptly say, is just that, a whole, not to be divided, should never be the source of wars, which it so often has been and still is the source of so much sadness and sorrow. With your ethereal words you allow us experience the harmony of the whole … thank you for this thoughtful and reflective start to my day. Xx

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Annika, your response is just wonderful and give more than I could with the
      poem. I am so overjoyed that you shared the meaning of the words so
      easily within your heart. A great honour. Xx

      May we share this beautiful planet with greatness of our hearts and not smallness of mind.
      Miriam

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  3. Thought provoking as usual Miriam. I feel that borders are not only physical but something that we place around ourselves for some reasons and to varying degrees depending on situations. I do think however that as you get older you don’t worry about imaginary borders so much. Life is too short by then. If only the same applies to physical borders. But that is a completely different and potentially emotive subject.
    Mike

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thanks for your great response Mike. How right you are about us placing
      borders around our own inner self and often present a workable facade.
      There are times when that protection is needed but how much more fun it is
      to be free and open.
      As to the borders placed during history and its wars you are right, a highly emotive subject. We have to know what define us. We might have forgotten ….🌎.
      Miriam

      Like

      Reply

    • Carrie, warm thanks for your kind response. I am really so glad that
      this post did reach the heart of you and my questions to some extent also became yours.
      I like your phrase ‘ ours to commandeer ‘.

      Miriam

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  6. Poetry does an amazing job arguing this point that simple words can’t. Nicely done, Miriam. I’m even tempted to tell the Vatican to remove their walls! (I’m Catholic–the Pope will listen to me).

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thank you Jaqui for your kind comment. I guess the very essence of a poem
      is what you can say concisely and without so many words. Like a spot light instead of flood lights.
      Yes you have a word with the Pope, after all he is representing his people.
      Miriam

      Like

      Reply

  9. Thank you Rosaliene, I am glad you felt so. ❤️
    Have you noticed that strong experiences can stay dormant for a long while and then crop up – just like that.
    So it was for me. One was when I stood watching the mountains you see at my top picture, the other was when I crossed the Atlantic Ocean from England to America. Awesome feelings that gave all these and more questions as well as tears seeing their beauty and strength.

    Miriam

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Roland, you honour me with the clarity and strength of your comment.
      Thank you. I smile at your expression ” man’s supreme idiocy ” , we have to be supreme at something. 😉 . We do rather overrate our importance in the face of Nature’s force.

      Miriam

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply

  11. I like your exploration of borders in a subtle preparation for the question we all need to revisit: on what basis can we bar people from migrating to safe liveable places on this planet?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thank you Janice for your thoughtful response. Yes, I do ask many
      questions in this relatively short poem. One could of course ask what caused
      people to migrate from the place they had their lives. Trace back all the way.

      The answer to your question you know as well as I and it isn’t pretty.

      Have a peaceful Sunday my friend

      Miriam

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      • Your comment makes me think that there should be more friendly interest in the lives of people who come to our borders besides the legal formalities…but historically, welcoming committees for ‘strangers’ hasn’t been common unfortunately.

        Liked by 1 person

  14. Humanity San Frontiers. What an aspiration to have! Beautifully put, and another brick removed from “civilisation’s” attempt to wall itself in. If anyone can change this world, it won’t be the politicians. It will be the dreamers, the poets, painters, musicians and dancers. Some favourite words from a favourite group: “No man has a right to the mountains; no more than the deep ocean bed” Keep removing those bricks, Miriam.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    • Thank you for your beautiful and thoughtful response Peter. In particular I like
      your line : ” . It will be the dreamers, the poets, painters, musicians and dancers. “. Who will lead a change. Although the change has to be in every man’s heart.
      How true your quote is too and I have heard this before.

      Miriam

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  15. Profound words, Miriam. Unfortunately man is embroiled in the trivials of division and borders rather than acknowledging and revering the whole! As always your poetry conveys food for thought! Loved the quote too!

    Like

    Reply

  16. Radhika, thanks for your beautiful comment. I love Tor Heyerdahl’s quote too,
    he did travel a lot by sea. Sadly all these disputes kills and maims a frightening number of children and innocents every day.

    miriam

    Like

    Reply

  17. Well done, Miriam! In these days of so much contention, it’s good to remember that nature knows no boundaries except those between differing climates/environments, and those are gradual, not hard lines. It’d be nice if we all could cross the boundary and shake hands with our neighbors. Have a great week!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thank you Julie for your warm comment. All living things except man travel freely. There are actually some countries where you literally can cross boundary and shake hands with your neighbour. 😊 .

      Miriam

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  18. When I read your poem the Baha’i quote from Baha’u’llah immediately came to mind:

    “It is not for him to pride himself who loveth his own country, but rather for him who loveth the whole world. The earth is but one country and mankind its citizens.”

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  19. Thank you for your very interesting comment. I have now been on the net and checked up Baha’u’llah . It can sound complex as he brings in all major religions but in fact it isn’t complicated as all have the same basic belief.

    I love your quote and very much feel so myself. It is my belief too that many do agree.
    Miriam

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  20. Miriam,
    As you said, it’s ultimately not complicated at all.
    The Baha’i faith believes in progressive revelation – that Moses, Buddha, Mohammad, Jesus, Baha’u’llah et.al were all manifestations of God and taught what was needed (in the way it could best be understood) at each particular epoch and location to elevate human spirituality . . . kinda like kindergarten, middle school, high school! Unfortunately, we’ve not reached college level . . . yet.

    Like

    Reply

  21. An important concept and thoughtful quotes that I wish more people would consider and hopefully understand. I think some people have gotten carried away with wanting to protect a space out of fear. I hope one day we can reach beyond this fear to cooperation and peace.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  22. Thank you JoAnna for your response.
    As we are all celebrating the wonderful success of the rescue of the trapped Thai boys it is a wonderful example of what man can achieve when driven by one goal. Love and and care. Sharing the same goal.
    It is as hard and simple as that.

    miriam

    Like

    Reply

  24. Sharon, thanks for your kind response.
    Indeed there need to be more care for both our Earth and for all who
    live here. You are right, there is an irony – a very sad one – that we are given
    such a gift and proceed to destroy it. May the tide be turning.

    Miriam

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment