From the rubble of war – 7 March 2022

This is a digital image, a sculpture-like piece of art. The backdrop is a photograph of a shelled building from the Ukraine, which has been recoloured to show the national flag. In front of the image is rubble, representing the many buildings that are crumbling though the impact of war. The rubble might also stand for the nation, whose attempted destruction we are watching day by day at present. Emerging from the rubble are a pair of arms, they cling to the building using it as support in order to clamber out of the place of destruction. These arms might represent the national struggle for survival, a determination to overcome all that is being experienced.

As we look at an image like this, what do we think, how might we pray?

The image is by the contemporary Italian sculptor Lorenzo Quinn. This week he produced a number of new digital art works to be sold to raise funds for the aid agencies working in the Ukraine. Through the sharing of this work comes the encouragement to make a contribution to the Red Cross (Ukraine or British).

Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.

Micah 7:8

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

Matthew 5:9

I            my land.

Tomorrow               end my poem.

Will I see you there, ?

when you return?

the war       and        my poem.

young departing.

Will you         return?

your name a home.

I hear

this language              , uncountried

I have your name       .

a luxury         drought.

language         , alone my heart a greeting

leaves me a stranger; no one

beneath us hunger

No one is mine.

words from this

Earth         hungers for our limbs.

remain here, to        ? .

salvaged words           unravelling.

there peaceful, victorious?

Tomorrow         will end and I’ll return

I long for morning               my homeland.

Lena Khalaf, Sings herself the rubbl, 2020