Washed Away

I haven’t heard rain like that in a long time
Rain preceded only by strong winds-
No sprinkles
No light showers
A horizontal wall of water
Falling with a thunderous Woosh!
So loud and powerful
It would surely wash me away-
But I’m still here
Lying still-listening
As it pours harder and harder
Grows louder and louder
And I begin to wonder
If it will ever stop-
Not in a sense of despair
Instead, wondering how long
It will take to wash away
The mounting layers
Of arrogance and hate
So eyes and hearts will
Once again, be open to the truth
Of loving our neighbors as ourselves

A Calling


The voice in my head screams
As the one in my heart sobs
A flood of questions
Fills the gulf in between-
Unable to understand
Darkness capable of
Instantly turning
One heart against another
With no consideration of
The humanity within us all
Instead, focused on labels
Created, then vilified by men-
My head barely remains above
This continuous current of Information-
My heart aches for a sign of hope-
Sunlight after a storm
Twinkling star in the night sky
Laughter of a child-
The beginnings of truth
A calling for peace

Not Enough

Feeling the need to speak
Knowing the importance of
Choosing my words
Carefully-
Not speaking is unacceptable-
Emotions swirl in my head
Threatening to exit in a scream-
Until I pause
Take a breath
Whisper a prayer
Allowing it all to be filtered
Though my heart –
Love your neighbor as yourself
Leaves no room to vilify or dehumanize-
Be kind and compassionate to one another
Holds no space for intimidation and hatred-
Love those who are foreigners,
For you yourselves were foreigners

Carries no capacity for arrogance or exile-
Choosing my words carefully
Knowing they are not enough
And actions must follow

Photos taken by me in Washington, D.C.