“As I think of the many myths, there is one that is very harmful, and that is the myth of countries.”
– Jorge Luis Borges
How did it come to be that
we have erected so many
boundaries between
ourselves and others?
A fence between neighbors
became a border,
a border became a wall.
Walls have become
countries, separating us all.
Small differences have
grown enormously vital.
Our skin shades don’t match,
best you stay over there.
Your speech has a lilt,
you should keep quiet.
You believe what?!
Oh no, that’s wrong!
And instead of peaceful
coexistence, our leaders
have directed us to believe
we must have those
walls to protect
ourselves from you.
Margaret Bednar is our hostess at Imaginary Garden With Real Toads: http://withrealtoads.blogspot.com/2014/08/play-it-again-toads-8.html
Bodhirose's Blog 
Victoria C. Slotto
/ August 24, 2014So thought-provoking. And how the world is experiencing the pain that follows our attachment to boundaries.
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Bodhirose
/ August 24, 2014Thank you, Victoria. Yes, it’s created some pain I believe.
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billgncs
/ August 24, 2014countries and tribes are hard-coded into us.
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Bodhirose
/ August 24, 2014Seems to be.
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Tres Longwell
/ August 24, 2014Please remove me from your mailing list
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Bodhirose
/ August 24, 2014It took me a minute to think who you were… I haven’t added you to any mailing list…perhaps you unwittingly “followed” me.
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silentlyheardonce
/ August 24, 2014Well said and us small folks wonder why.
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Bodhirose
/ August 24, 2014It’s been set into motion for so long that to change things will take a monumental act…perhaps one day.
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Susie Clevenger (@wingsobutterfly)
/ August 24, 2014Yes, we erect walls … we are so concerned about space, but not peace…Great write
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Bodhirose
/ August 24, 2014In yet another area…our priorities are askew. Thanks, Susie.
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brian miller
/ August 24, 2014why have we erected the barriers between us…the recent issues at the US border have had me thinking of these things…protect ourselves or…
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Bodhirose
/ August 24, 2014I understand some of the reasoning of borders…I was just wondering how it all got started in the first place. Fear I suppose.
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Grace
/ August 24, 2014Walls to keep us safe are the same walls that divide us ~ A lovely message to ponder Gayle ~ Thanks for sharing ~
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Bodhirose
/ August 24, 2014Yes, you’re right, Grace. Loved your beautiful offering.
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ManicDdaily
/ August 24, 2014You are right-though I think it has a lot to do with economics as well as history–all pretty complex, and the divides within countries almost as much. So difficult to resolve. I was reading today about the many millions dying in the First World War–it’s hard to even understand what it was about, and yet millions and millions dying. Thanks. k
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Bodhirose
/ August 25, 2014Yes, it has become a very complex issue…little by little. We humans seem to move in that direction. And thank you for adding your thoughts.
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Sumana Roy
/ August 24, 2014shrewd politicians erect walls to gain and we select them to rule over us…complex like a maze…
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Bodhirose
/ August 25, 2014You are so right, Sumana…too bad it’s come to this.
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Jim
/ August 25, 2014I like your quote. You wrote nicely with it as a theme prompt. 🙂
This is why I liked the E.U. so much. No border hassles between those countries.
No walls, gates, or checkpoints. Just go, like between the states in the U.S.
Thank you for peeking in on me and for your nice comment. Actually, when
I used to eat melons in the patch I didn’t use salt either. But I do at the table.
..
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Bodhirose
/ August 25, 2014Thanks so much, Jim…I appreciate your comment and compliment. And I really like how the E.U. has set up their countries for ease of coming and going…and to manage other issues I’m sure.
No, you probably wouldn’t be carrying around a salt shaker when visiting the melon patch. And how nice that you had a melon patch… :~)
Gayle ~
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journeyintopoetry
/ August 25, 2014Oh this is something so close to my heart Gayle and I think I probably speak for many. You have expressed your point beautifully. I started writing a poem on these lines not long ago when I was in pensive mood looking out of the window at the house opposite. We have been here years and slowly but surely new occupants have rendered the option to chat over the fence impossible. Vague low fences became rigid and tall and then to make sure of total privacy huge conifers have been planted alongside said fences. We are creating our own prisons. Nobody wants to live in each others pockets but it was so much nicer here when it seemed like more of a community. And this is only in our small area! The poem still is t complete! Maybe it will be one day, I couldn’t get it to come together. Xx
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Bodhirose
/ August 25, 2014I too see the change in neighborhoods of people just not wanting to connect with one another like when I was growing up. We knew all our neighbors and had a tight community. And it’s funny that we seem to be communicating more with each other via texting, talking on phone but not so much in real life. It’s interesting how things are evolving. Thanks, Christine…always enjoy our visits! xo
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Kerry O'Connor
/ August 25, 2014These are questions I have often asked myself. That we always view other members of our species with suspicion, says very little for our evolution and civilization.
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Bodhirose
/ August 25, 2014It’s so true, Kerry, but really all people everywhere pretty much want the same things out of life. We have much in common. Thanks for adding your thoughts here.
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margaret
/ August 26, 2014Powerful. I agree with this when it comes to our day to day interactions… but on a whole other level – there are those who harm and are driven by evil. How do we protect ourselves without certain precautions? Nicely penned.
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Bodhirose
/ August 26, 2014Yes, it brings up many questions…just how are we to remain open to some while protecting ourselves from others. Not as easy as we would like. Thanks, Margaret.
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Lorna's Voice
/ August 27, 2014This is so insightful, Gayle. The moment we erect real or contrived boundaries, we set up the potential for an “us” against “them” mentality–which is the end of unity.
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Bodhirose
/ August 27, 2014Thank you, Lorna. And that’s exactly what we have manifested.
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Hannah Gosselin
/ August 27, 2014I love the building up that you present in the beginning of this…it’s very visual. Great write!
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Bodhirose
/ August 27, 2014Thank you, Hannah…I appreciate your comment.
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bardessdmdenton
/ September 12, 2014Humankind’s unending obsession with boundaries … all things divisive. This is such excellent verse … both the writing and its ‘message’. Blessings. XO
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Bodhirose
/ September 12, 2014How true…all things divisive…it does seem to be an obsession. Thank you kindly for your generous words, Diane. xo
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