Saturday, May 07, 2005

Hangover or clear head?

The rain fell steadily all last evening, not heavy but persistent and penetrating; relentless rain washing down the pavements, cars, homes and gardens of our town. I woke to clear and clean air this morning and to a fresh feel, a new beginning? It was as though an older and disappointing world had been wiped away, a cleansing, a baptism that washed away the sin and imperfections of our past. The sun has broken through the clouds, great shafts of early light picking out the features of our garden, the clematis turning in the breeze to warm their open flowers. 

We have our new start, a chance to look forward to a brighter and better world. They say that they have listened to the people and learned the lessons of Iraq. We have given them a bloody nose and slashed the majority to require an more inclusive and consultative approach. Soon we'll see whether there has been a change, whether politicians and people have restored some mutual trust. But what of the press, the media? Will they reflect on their cynicism, their determination to destroy. Did that rain wash them clean as well? Meanwhile, the peoples of towns and townships around the world will continue with their view of Britain and the British. Will this election change them, improve the life chances of those who live in Basra, Beijing or Sao Paolo? Democracy is fragile, especially in the rich and thoughtless West. What would they make of my concerns in Vila Prudente? Did it rain there last night?

1 comment:

Dalva M. Ferreira said...

Yes, it did rain here: everytime that it rains in the rich countries, we are somehow affected, down here in the amazonic forest. The world is a live being, and each country is a part of a huge web. Here, in Vila Prudente, São Paulo, we could feel the same hope in our politicians, once. Everyone has also expected a miracle as if our lider were a Messias.
" We have our new start, a chance to look forward to a brighter and better world. They say that they have listened to the people and learned the lessons of Iraq. We have given them a bloody nose and slashed the majority to require an more inclusive and consulative approach."

But, if the new Messias proves to be only a mistake, we have the right to crucify him.