I AM SMALL, BUT I AM NOT POWERLESS.
a poem for the days we wake up to murder in the news
/ on days when I wake up to murder in the news, I open the curtains & let in the light. I kiss the toddlers on their foreheads & I teach them to be kind. I take ripe tomatoes & gently peel their skins, mixing them with jalapeños & onions, spices & vinegar; a salsa we’ll enjoy all winter long. & I say a prayer. & I shed some tears. & I write this poem. what else can I do in the face of heinous evil? but affirm the beauty of life & let in the light. —I am small, but I am not powerless
Dear Reader,
This is not a poem that can capture the magnitude of the change that is needed in our country to ensure the safety of our children—for that you should check out Elizabeth Berget’s poem she shared today.
But this is a poem about how we keep moving forward towards good—while we wait for our chance to vote on these important issues. Evil exists in our world—and there are many ways to stand against it and fight. I pray God gives you wisdom to know what is YOURS to do in this season, and in each day. Some of you will fight with your votes and with laws. Some of you will fight by parenting your children towards kindness over violence. Some of you will fight as mental health advocates. Some of you will fight as law enforcement agents tasked with making a safer world for all of us.
This poem encapsulates some of what is mine to do on the dark days. I wrote it a few months back about a different tragedy, but thought today was a good day to share it.
Tell me, how do you let in the light on the dark days? I’d love to hear in the comments below.
Warmly,
Grace E. Kelley
so powerful, Grace! Over here letting cracks of light through too. (thank you for the mention! xo!)
I’m tired. I’m old. I’ve been waking up to this news since I
was eleven years old. Other terrible happenings. I haven’t got much left. My heart hurts for their hearts.