Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression,
But a good word makes it glad.  (Proverbs 12:25 NKJV)

When I have my morning coffee, I often read and today I read Proverbs 12:25.  Once it was read, I had to stop, because it dawned on me that I didn’t agree with it.

True enough, anxiety leads to depression, but the second part of that verse seems to be a bit shallow.  Words are never enough to make the heart glad.  All of us enjoy compliments and of course they do make us smile;  but far too many times they become the same old rhetoric we’ve heard over and over again. When this occurs,  those words are meaningless and quite frankly, insulting.

As a writer I string words together with the hope of creating something meaningful, whether it’s to entertain or to touch hearts.  Words can be powerful, but they can also be cheap.  In my life I’ve heard the words “I love you” many times, but also through the years I’ve learned these words, at times, can be insincere.  Love is easy to profess but much harder to prove.  If you truly love someone then your actions will show it.  Love without action is only a lie.

This past week, after the shooting in the city of Orlando, America used “words” to express her sorrow. She professed her love through prayers and moments of silence.  I ask you, is that enough?    Do prayers and moments of silence represent true sorrow?  Are they enough to show true love?   

It is with this frame of mind, I penned to following prose.  It’s not meant to be pretty or written with rhythm or rhyme.  It’s simply my thoughts about a situation that makes no sense, but keeps happening anyway.

Make America Truly Love Again

America weeps over the Orlando shooting, and I say, “here we go again.”

Our mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, husbands, wives and dearest friends are taken by a bullet from a gun…and I say, “here we go again.”

Our government takes a moment of silence,” and I say, “Here we go again.”

Our flags across this land fly half staff, and I say, “here we go again.”

Night vigils are held with candles lit, and I say, “here we go again.”

The religious among us bow to pray, and I say,  “here we go again.”

 Politicians bicker and fuss but nothing’s done, and I say, “here we go again.”

We cry…we mourn and we bury the dead and I say, “here we go again.”

We break bread at tables with empty seats, and I say “here we go again.”

Days pass into weeks…our sadness wanes, and I say “here we go again.”

In this land of Red, White, and Blue the people forget, and I say, “here we go again.”

Our senses are lulled and to sleep we fall…and I say, “here we go again.”

Well, guess what America?  I’m damn sick and tired of saying “here we go again!”

I’m tired of your empty prayers and moments of silence!

I’m tired of your condolences, while we throw dirt to a grave!

I’m tired of wreaths of flowers that only decay!

 Keep your prayers, your candles, your flowers and give us action, instead!

Take action and demand that laws be changed!

Take action to sew up the loopholes!

Take action and demand “No fly-No buy!”

Take action and ban weapons of mass destruction!

Take action instead of padding the pockets of the NRA!

“Take action!  Take action and do it today!”

You must know… Prayer without action is never true love.

Moments of silence are just that…silent. 

Repeated well wishes are empty and insulting.

Wake up America!  Wake up and Understand!

Your “niceties” are but dung to our face, when nothing’s ever done!

You think prayer and candles synonymous of love?

Guess what America…You’re wrong!

Love is taking action…and not waiting to say, “here we go again.”

True love does more than pray or light candles.

True love steps up to the plate and swings her heart out.

True love, not only says something…it does something. 

America we’re waiting…what will you do?

Can we make America “TRULY LOVE” again!