May I ask you something?
Do you find,
that in this time
it is so very difficult
to keep the divisiveness
of "we" and "they"
out of our sentences?
But do you also
believe that we must try?
Deep within ourselves
we know that love
and compassion
need to be given
the space to rise up.
But how do we stand up
for what we believe
while leaving anger and hate
(seemingly) unresolved?
It sounds impossible, but really,
it is the only answer, isn't it?
How can we allow anything
to erase all the good
we once saw in each other?
To give divisiveness
such power is a tragedy
I don't think we can survive.
As individuals, families,
communities, as a country.
The good is still there.
Tomorrow, or the next day,
or maybe years from now,
perhaps I will read
these words and wonder
how could I have been
so naive.
(In fact you might be
wondering that about me
now as you read this.
That's fair.)
But today I choose to name it hope.
And I will hang on
as tightly as I can,
looking for the good in each other
that we know is still there.
Falling back on
the gentle powerful strength
of humility and integrity
as guides forward.
Praying that others
might also make the effort
to find some good in me
as I make the small choices
each day that add up to
a life.
Whether or not
we totally agree with each other
on all things.
