“It is character that should be the sole measure of judgement in the society of thinking humanity, and nothing short of that would do.”
― Abhijit Naskar, We Are All Black: A Treatise on Racism
CONTRAST
The news broadcasts the story in an infinite loop.
Nine people killed, one an unborn baby.
Boy or girl, identity as unknown
as the reason for the bullets that stopped them.
I listen to commentary
about hate and racism while a winter-pale
goldfinch travels from tree to wire, a place where robins perch. The wire is long with plenty of room.
Perhaps, there is no genuine connection.
Only a brief metaphor. And yet
I wonder if change can begin
with subtle movements toward peace.
bird illustration made from public domain photo, colored pencil, and chalk
terrypetersen 