Light and dark, playing off each other.
Some days the dark is like the bottom
of a well, sunk down so deep there is
no way back up. 

Political assassinations. Machines
of war parading down our streets.
Bombs. Missiles. Countries intent 
on beating each other up. 

Sometimes the dark is the calm of night,
light of stars and fireflies flickering.
The marching feet, tens of thousands
saying No. The beleaguered hearts

that still care for, feed, house the others
the darkness fears. The neighbor who mows
an elder’s lawn. The child who defends
the weird kid from the bullies.

The church that still helps refugees
find homes. The last government
employees still trying to protect us
from pollution, disease, storms.