Darkness and Light, Dueling - pamela warren williams

[Larry Robinson]

Darkness and Light, Dueling

Jimmy Santiago Baca examines shades of darkness.
Perhaps those who christened the mourning cloak
butterfly saw hope in that glowing yellow hem.
I always had my own interpretation for the classic 
terra cotta heart, determinedly sprouting
blooms and new growth, despite being wrapped
in pain. We are formed from star stuff –
how could we not be filled with light?
Tender in this uncertain time, we dart uneasily
between the loneliness of the darkest woods and 
the intermittent and blinding bright lure of hope.

The differences, degrees of loss, of angst, are
pored over. Penned and parsed. The difficulties
are infinitely more daunting for some, 
with inequalities shamefully unmasked.
That annoying salvo that “We are all in the same
boat.” causes fury that from your grand yacht,
you don’t have to see those struggling
for a grip on a piece of driftwood.
None of these dialogues or diatribes may matter. 
Hopefully, they will galvanize some into action.
Even we optimists will allow for some fear, 
as well as an excruciating deep sorrow.
The cost of so many souls. And then the anger
stockpiled by generations of ancestors.
Prayers for timely antidotes.

	- pamela warren williams