During the late dark night, my mind asks,
“Do you want sleep?”
A quiet pause,
“What do you really want?”
I want love.
I want it to be so pervasive that no one escapes it.
I want it to bounce from canyons and mountain tops
Through cities and towns large and small.
I want it to invade the cracks in the sidewalk
And seep under tarps of those living outside.
I want it to fill the hearts of men,
Their grace in it spill onto women and children.
I want love to favor no religion and select no god.
I want love to be the first feeling at day break
And the last thought at night.
I want love to imbue every act.
Until then, I am awake
Sending love to the frightened, hungry, and fearful.
Only when human hearts are rich with love
Will I sleep.
Until then, my heart aches.
And my thoughts disturbed.
For without love,
We are savages of the worst kind.
I cannot sleep with this on my soul.
Love has guided me through madness.
I cannot surrender now.
My mind says,
“Allow rest for there is much to do.”
I succumb tonight,
For my heart is strong
But my mind is wise.
L’Chaim.
~ Joceile
11.11.23
[Photo courtesy Ronnie Hacken]
