Love & Hate

by Ida Cutler

Haida and Hindu
Methodist and Muslim
Parsi and Presbyterian
Buddhist and Baptist
Catholic and Confucian
All believe in a Center of
Light and enlightenment
Conscience and Creation.

Why do they fight together?
The Jihad slays babies and exalts.
Ireland soaks in the blood
Of her people, split by all partisans
All followers of Christ, who
Taught of Love
The Father of all mankind
And brotherhood.

We share the earth.
All our wounds bleed red.
All hunger and thirst
And love.
Why must we also hate?
And in the name of God?