here we are

this is the time

we’ve been given

redwoods &

support beams 

snapping 

as they burn

all the riotous life

held & breathing

in the canopies

plummeting back

to the charred soil

meanwhile

we roll beach towels

to cover the cracks

under the doors

as the 

charlatans scream

MORE OIL

MORE OIL

how do we love

knowing we will die?

this much

has not changed

do we pinch scraps

of dignity between

fire-scorched fingers?

or, maybe

our dignity

has never been

more full

in our chests

it has always 

been this

important

to say

I AM HERE

every surface,

an altar

every moment,

a grounding

love is bigger than this

even here

the hot coals 

of justice

shimmer

in the night

you can lend

your sturdiest stick

or the strength

of your breath

can you feel 

the crawling roots

and springly greens

in your belly and veins?

the doves and crows

calling from 

your diaphragm?

you are still

a part of everything

don’t you dare

cast away

your magnificence

pause and tend

again and again