NOVEMBER 8, 2022

Fear is funny that way.

Sometimes it runs hot.

Sometimes it runs cold.

Sometimes it sits and cries.

Sometimes it runs and hides

inside the mouth

under the tongue

where it is held hostage,

until it bursts forth in words

which ride on unleashed breath

in gasps and gulps

but flying free across the breach

to land on other tongues

younger, stronger, more free

to speak the truth

from mouths opened wide

whose words turn into votes

that set aside liars and their lies.

Then fear, finally, subsides.

Then words can move forward

to cool the earth,

to warm the hearth,

to fill us once again

with pride.