Find beneath the Scorn: a Maze of Need²
The Only way to Triumph over Hate and
Destruction is to Not Hate and Not Destroy³
Steal Love’s Sweet Bait from Fearful Hooks⁴
When someone Hurts you, don’t turn Inward,
Turn to that Person – they’re Hurting themselves⁵
Love your Enemies: Bless them that Curse you – do
Good form them that Hate you – and Pray for them
Which Despitefully Use you and Persecute you⁶
Although Love prefers to Dwell in Gay Palaces
And Voluptuous Bedchambers more that Poor
Huts, for all that, he at time makes his Powers
Felt in Dense Forests, on Rugged Mountains,
And in Desert Caves, from which you’re able
To see that Everything is subject to its Power⁷
Impossible Men – Outlawed Drum of their
Hearts – Punishable Dance of their Breath:
Our Loving them is a Forbidden Religion⁸
Gather in the Arms of your Love those
Who expect No Love from Above⁹
For the Benefit of the Flower
We Water the Thorns too¹⁰
¹ Cathy Song, This Wonderful Opportunity
² Joanna Klink, Report on Fire
³ 9/11 Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, Not in Our Names
⁴ William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet
⁵ Mother Teresa, Her Essential Wisdom
⁶ Matthew 5:44 (King James)
⁷ Giovanni Boccaccio tr. Wayne Rebhorn, The Decameron
⁸ Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie, Possible
⁹ Langston Hughes, Prayer
¹⁰ Egyptian proverb