when others across the world

suffer the crush of violence

my focus wanes

my mindfulness splinters

my equilibrium screams

how long how long how long

and again why

every breath takes effort

all serenity rattled

if my attempts to hold to the present

unravel and I stagger—

summon the spirits of the dead

whisper their names

though I do not know them—

are my actions those of empathy

sorrow for innocence bludgeoned

or do I only seek a glimmer of survival

a walking cane to aid me

until I regain my footing

step over this knowledge

this decaying humanity

unvividify my imagination of scenes

too far away to witness

horror beats its chest claiming a new win

leaking its vile stench for all to inhale

I withhold my breath

one day one day one day

leaders worthy of the role may lead

« put down that weapon

or we’ll all be gone« *

over there over here they are we we they

I listen to the birdsong after

morning’s rain

from a distance thought I heard

a peace prayer rising

voices across the world refusing

to surrender

I leaned in

and chose again to believe~

*from Midnight Oil’s Put Down That Weapon’