Earth & Metal
Proverb
Sweat during peace saves blood during war.
Poem
Sharp spears thrust into the ground.
This is the border;
This is the marking-place.
No one comes past here.
Watch the guards tremble!
Watch the earth shake!
The warriors are coming,
No fear in their eys.
Meditation
When it seems as if you have done all you can, try once more.
The border is, of course, the Great Wall.
At tremendous cost, Chine built this barrier in order to prevent war.
As the proverb stresses, extra effort now to find a solution
will prevent the situation escalating out of control.
©Loes Raaphorst 10/2005