When I walk outside today I will see blue skies

perhaps a touch of gray, possible thunderstorms.

I won’t see blood and carnage,

I will not experience the loss of limb

my world ‘today’ does not contain

a cease fire to prevent ripping human lives

apart both physically and mentally.

When I walk outside today, no flying shrapnel

will cross my path or take out my brother

as he stands by my side.

I will not go to the site of a bombing

to identify the lifeless body of my young child.

~

When I step outside today, I will recognize peace alone,

I may be wracked to the teeth with societal blues

that weigh me down, and become important to my

well being. Really? Does it all really matter?

How am I blessed to be in a country that fights the inane

battle of gun-control, of protecting our own, of shooting

down our neighbor on a Saturday night over a girl’s smile.

Can you imagine the thousands that might trade your life

for that of nightly air raids, and a neighbor loss count.

Or is it really that simple to imagine they want to be

like us over here where freedom is slapped in the face

at every turn. Where our lives matter, their lives

are given to sacrifice and hardship. Maybe they live better.

~

Perhaps all the spiritual reckoning that we choose to ignore

while amidst the terror and political chaos of war,

along the avenues of frightened nights, and anxiety driven

afternoons, and frozen in my daily steps mornings.

becomes that powerful guiding force, keeps their soul alive.

Who am I to believe that my peace alone is the proper Way.