US and THEM
2004

'Being only human'
Unjustified excuse for sub-humans,
Unjust reason for not becoming human,
Yearning of many who find therein the Eternal.

Thirsts of Heart, Mind, Body, Soul, Nature and Will.
Conflict of Good and Evil, Light and Darkness, Life and Death.
Strife of religions, ideologies, cultures and socio-political systems.
Battle of races, classes, sexes, powers and riches.
Struggle of neighbors, families, siblings and generations.
Eternally waged, perpetually endured, constantly vindicated.
Never overcoming, ever overcoming.

Is this engagement a betrothal or a betrayal? For unification or annihilation?
How long will Truth be heard and not understood?
How long will War claim peace through dominion?
How long will Conflict assert reconciliation through elitism?
How long will Good exhaust itself fighting Evil?

Truly, do you look at them and not see your core?
Is your Good heightening their Evil and ignoring yours?
What do they stir in you? How do you reconcile yourself to it?
Good and Evil alternate between altar and façade, between truth and deceit.
Arrogant defiance in the name of God. Against Man, against God.

Are we the Farmer's seeds? Are some thrown by the Enemy?
Are they the weeds, we the wheat? Isn't each the very soil for wheat and weeds?
I have not yet transcended a humanity whose nature is both, have you?

"But what about you? Who do you say I am?"
Not: "But what about them? Who do they say I am?"
Not: "But what about you? Who do you say they are?"
Are you your brother's keeper? "What have you done? Listen!"

Man searching for God or seeking to become God?
What truth has become your downfall? What conviction your blindness?
What self-righteousness stripped you from righteousness?
What gain tore you from your Self?

The Finite yearning to become the Infinite.
Particles of Truth; creators and destroyers.
Reality confirming reality, denying reality.
How similar our difference! How unique our resemblance!
E Pluribus Unum.