POETRY – MINDFULNESS

With a push of a button, the television screen goes blank, removing that annoying hum that fills our homes for the better part of the day. A hum we seldom realize exists until it has gone. Then, finally, we notice how peaceful your life has just become.

I sat down by my window
and opened the blinds

From my window, I see
a world absent of law

No quarter for those who want it
No quarter for those in need
There was none, even for those
who drop to their knees and plead.

From my window, I witness
the darkness of the light,

the woman adjusting her clothes
because she just made her rent in the backseat
the man whose rent vanished in a puff of smoke
the child who wonders about their next meal
because their father just drank it away

from my window, I see light
through the darkness

the young man helping the older couple
a reminder that there is still courtesy, although fading
the blooms of the flowers in an overgrown garden
steadily growing, steadily fighting,
as we should, like every moment was our last

from my window, I witness those
who will not bow

Those whose faith is unwavering
those who love unconditionally
with no concern for themselves
those who continue to fight
though is no sign of hope

In this window, I have seen
many things

things that you want to fix but cannot
things that make us cry,
even if it is silently amongst a hundred

The things that will make a stand on mountaintops and cheer
The things that will make the strongest of men get up and walk away

These things and much more represent the ideal I have spent my life fighting for.

No wonder I can never close the blinds.

Thanks for reading!