Light Dark Light

I don’t believe in evil as an entity,
some devil animating the doings
of those whose faith is weak.
Instead I imagine evil as a parasite
clinging to fear’s sharp edge. 

I watch my county dissolve in anger
carried proudly by people
who claim Christ, although
Jesus asks, “What shall it profit a man
if he gain the whole world
and suffer the loss of his own soul?” 

A ray of sunlight takes
eight minutes and twenty seconds
to touch our skin. Maybe
we have to hold the light
through whatever darkness
we’re in, be wicks
resolute despite burning.