People I know are buying guns and I don't blame them.

Some lean right and some lean left and they are afraid.

People I know are gathering documents to flee 

and I don't blame them.

There is a sense of looming loss of freedom and safety.

People are taking to the streets, mostly peacefully,

I give gratitude for them.

People are going to the courts, 

arguments in hand, 

I give gratitude for them.

I take solace in verses from the Old Book,

"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me...."

I think of my own looming death.

I think of our ancestors, each and every one of us,

saints and despots.

I rise, I give gratitude all day long.

This moment, I breathe.

This moment, this is enough.

I trust the little ones, newly arrived, will, too, breathe--

breathe, breathe,

inextinguishable life.