My heart is moved by all I cannot save: so much has been destroyed. I have to cast my lot with those who age after age, perversely, with no extraordinary power, reconstitute the world. ~ADRIENNE RICH
watching images and reels from afar
via small screens curated by people
who’ve already taken a side
I cannot hide my sadness
at the cost, at what is lost
I hope that before each stance, online conversation, repost, perchance
there’s been a pause, a mindful choice
to step into the shoes of every soul in the virtual show
to look inward, questioning motive, depth of knowledge, understanding
so that no one else is hurt because of a tap on a send button
Listen to me recite First Do No Harm here☝🏼
Like Adrienne Rich, I claim no extraordinary power. Also like her, I know my “ordinariness” is power enough to contribute to the reconstitution of a more just and loving world.
Day by day, through every action and interaction, I want to be better, to make the world a better place. Some days are more aligned than others, but I continue to practice.
Oops, I did it again…
After recording and scheduling this piece, I went back and changed one word. Find it. Tell me which you prefer. And please, hit the like button and give First Do No Harm a repost. The poetry algorithm will love it. And so will I.
Lovely poem and awesome Adrienne Rich quote. I found the difference! I think "curated" is indeed an improvement. I'm so very familiar with this phenomenon of discovering changes that just beg to be made after a poem is "done" and recorded. :) Been doing a lot of that lately. And it's interesting how my latest poem "Fast-Paced Environment" (which you graciously read) covers some very similar themes. I know a lot of it is just confirmation/selection bias, but sometimes I can't help but sense the synchronistic nature of the universe, feeling similar things at similar times and expressing it through multiple of our earthly bodies simultaneously!
Beautiful words Kim. Yes, yes and yes…💙