We don’t put
new wine
into old bottles,
or new skin
over old bones.
We don’ sanctify
our weakness
by propping it up
with a throne.
Through all the thorns,
and scars,
and scourges
in our way,
we define ourselves
not by
what comes,
what may.
We gather together
to rejoice
and celebrate
the hard work
and the end
of another passing day.
We don’t worship
the smile and the song.
We don’t condemn what’s right
and deny what’s wrong,
because we know
what happens
if we let this go on;
something much worse
always comes along.
We make our choices
daily by our acts.
We choose our words,
but we don’t choose the facts.
Once something
is put in the world,
it can’t be taken back,
so we aren’t in a hurry
to attack.
All things
in their own time.
You in yours
and I in mine.
We do this together,
because it’s easier to do,
if you help me
and I help you.
Don’t get it confused,
we’ll stand when the time comes.
It won’t matter
what it is once we’ve begun,
or if we ever see
another rising of the Sun.
We’ll give up our lives
for what we love;
it’s what we’ve always done.
HG – 2022
