In Response to Nadia’s Misdirected Email, I State Exactly What I Am Looking For
Balance. The ability to stand on one foot, on a tightrope, and juggle AR-15s,
ethics and dollar bills, while chanting the U.S. Constitution, in tongues.
Or good health.
Unweighted dreams.
A mechanism for disagreeing without needing to annihilate the opposition.
Doorways without doors, truth without fear.
A simple tulip.
One word to describe that instant between thought and pulled trigger,
intent and wish, the elevated pulse and sense of diminished space and time.
Sanctuary. Regret. Apology. Respect.
A tonic to the bitterness, a foil to the sweet.
Fitted sheets that fold. Uncommon sense.
Love in the abstract. More bacon. Smiles.
A closet that embraces everything you place in it. Everything.
The means of unfiring guns, of reversing wounds to undamaged flesh,
and rounds to their magazines, full and never used.
Self-organizing drawers. Due process.
Mothers who know only tears of joy.
One peaceful day.
Just one.
This first appeared on the blog in July 2016. The poem was a response to an email asking a question intended for someone else: “What exactly are you looking for?”
O at the Edges 
This poem slays and sings!
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If only more people would misdirect emails to me!
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Even more poignant today, Robert.
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Thanks, VJ. Things haven’t changed…
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Magic words! Though less bacon, please. My triglycerides are through the roof!
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Carrot bacon for you, then. Ha!
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I love this one, great job Robert! Too bad things haven’t moved a damn bit on this, well maybe it has actually 😦
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Thank you, Jay. The needle may have moved a tad, but there’s much more needed.
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Agreed for sure
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so very moving and so very true… thank you for making me think, again….
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Thanks very much!
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