After the Marathon Bombing

poem
© kieferpix

Boston, April 2013

What shall we do with the stillness, do with the hate and the pity?
What shall we do with the love? What shall we do with the grief?

Carry them with us like hard stones as we move through our days,
taking them everywhere, holding them close to us in our city;
offering prayers and laments, giving the heroes our praise?
What shall we do with the stillness, do with the hate and the pity?

All of us in this together, human, we each want the same things:
happiness, family, peace; freedom from sorrow; relief;
knowledge that we and our loved ones are safe from the dangers life brings.
What shall we do with the love? What shall we do with the grief?

Note: the refrain (lines 1–2) is from “For Victor Jara” by Miller Williams.

 

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