Forward

I sit with kids and adults in despair because the future terrifies them.
All I can say are platitudes- that we must pay attention and do what we can to move forward- that everything will be all right.
But will it?

And what is forward?
What is all right?
Is it advancement?
Is it simply moving into the minute beyond this one moment?
Is it moving beyond the political reality of this one?
Is it beyond the injustice, the war, the hate, the intolerance of this one?
Is it fear for my life because I am different?
Is it hiding my face for fear of being shot?
Is it moving into the basements and the attics because those are the “safe” places?
Is it cutting out my tongue, silencing my voice,
Lobotomizing my brain just to stay alive?
Is it handicapping life?
Is it?

Forward seems to be the promise of freedom.
That nebulous thing that we’ve all been programmed to worship.
For everybody- even those we hate- and who hate us.
Freedom is the belief in hope- that there is more than hate and despair.
Freedom believes in the song of each soul.
And that it is not unheard.
And seriously, no soul wants to be imprisoned.
Freedom needs the brave,
Has needed the brave.
The gun can’t kill me,
The beating can’t diminish my message.
I am created in the image and likeness of God- and I will not be disregarded.
But is it?
Is that freedom?
Is there existence without anxiety?
Seriously.
And I sigh.

I wish this was more poetic, but poetry won’t save lives the way I want it to.
And neither will tears.
Only standing up- boots on the ground, songs on our lips, conviction in our hearts and an angry ,sad, powerful community that sustains us.
It might just save us.
And that “might” is the only thing we long for.