The Good Is Still There

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.