The Wide World

This sagging house 

wraps her hundred year 

old arms around me.

The house that no one wanted 

on the north side. 

The first family she held 

lived here in the darkness 

of the war to end all wars.

A world war.

I am working for my daughter

and for everyone who can still

look deep into my eyes

and hold my hand

and for everyone who can’t.

In the great chain of humanity

perhaps all we have to do to rise

is to look at our deep flaws

and reach out our hand. 

We thought we would have one kind of time.

It turns out that isn’t the case.

So like those chess players in the park

the timer has just been slapped

on our lives.

I know it's serious. 

That many will be lost.

Even so

amidst all the work

we cannot forget 

to consult the sun

the water and birds

those clouds

that women singing to herself

in the street

or our faith will crumble

under this great wall of fear

that is moving across the land

and, even with death,

there's so much more than that.

.