And all is well (Day 1462)

we filled the streets 

and all is well  

we remain divided 

and united 

in hope   we came     

together   to start 

afresh   this world   

our one good thing   

which may lead 

to another   gazing

now   at each other  

uncertain   knowing 

we must not stay 

where we have been

listening for the bells   

and weeping

tears of joy   of dread 

understanding neither

what our neighbors 

feel   nor what they say

how can we   when we 

are numb    numb 

and smiling    smiling 

foolishly at one another

no words for what 

we have yet to experience 

shedding our fear   

restoring   healing   

we purify ourselves 

in possibility   then 

quietly cloak our joy 

in dignity   preparing 

again   to stand

in the name of justice 

denied 

too many   too long

  

prepared to struggle 

and sigh   protest and pray   

to retreat into apathy   

sicken and fall 

away from the fray  

becoming

when we surrender 

our ferocity   

unconquerable 

and we must not fail   

and we must love   

and may it be ours

how could bitterness 

survive 

a glimpse 

of such tenderness

and just like that   

we are awake 

a four-year nightmare 

over   still   too real

© 2021 by Hannah Six