The Tolling Bell 

Today, Alexei Navalny was murdered in Russia.  He was without a doubt one of the bravest men that lived in my lifetime.  He opposed tyranny and fought for the freedom of the Russian people - and after being poisoned and nearly killed, he returned to that country knowing that his life was at constant risk.

As in so many other times - I turned to poetry for understanding and for solace.  First - Percy Shelley's "Ode to the Western Wind" - the poem he wrote in response to the Peterloo Massacre.  Far from his homeland, he wanted his words to show his solidarity and to awaken the English nation.  Next, I thought of John Donne's "No Man is an Island" - a so often misunderstood sermon.  He is not saying the bell tolls for us - because we will die one day - he says that when one of us passes - a part of us passes as well.  This is especially true when it is great men like Navalny that are killed.  The bell tolls for us; a part of our continent was lost today. (02/24/24)