Poems and Thoughts    by Frank Maurer

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A Time to Decide. I am a sun child; A flower child. And a child of pacifism and peace. As a child, when confronted with a fight, I ran. When my brother, John, would confront me pugnaciously I would turn and run into the bathroom and lock the door; I knew I was bigger and would hurt him. Later, real decisions were to be pondered. A war, the 'Vietnam War' was raging. I was in graduate school studying, But working with the Cornell Young Quakers as well. In protest, we carried medical supplies Across the Peace Bridge to Canada Symbolically stating that the American Red Cross Should not be restricted to help only US soldiers And not others in need. Then the government applications for the status of Pacifist. My lottery number was 374 and all I could do was wait. My choices were to serve as a medic in the military; Or to serve time in prison as a non-cooperator; Or flee to Canada to live a new and different life. No choice, in the end, had to be made: The war, as all wars eventually do, ended. I had stood up for what I thought was right. Then, with some mental wounds, I was obliged to responsibly carry on with the rest of my life. Frank Maurer 17 January 2023 11:15 AM.