I
They move diapers, sanitary pads, warm
clothes, a hijab, a sweatshirt, a pair of shoes
open the door listen to stories unfold
from mouths full of bruised feelings
lumps in the throats skin skull itchy and ill fit…
There are some among us who lead with Earth gifts
see a vision so clear they run to the opening
pour years into understanding come to solutions,
tap the best talent for the movement, the blood drive, the food drive,
the winter coat drive, drive someone pregnant to the doctor,
the shelter, a place where people live free from harm, fear, the need
to look over their shoulder hidden ready documents stored
at a trusted friend’s house because someone said, yes, gave good counsel.
There are those among us who lead the caravan have the ears of the powerful,
a seat at the table who bargain with good hearts for the people
under different bosses, negotiate the hoops for all of us so we can eat,
do the work, spread the good news that we can evolve be better humans
reclaim our roots, be at one with the Earth
give receive the fruits of sun wind rain cool nights frost on car windows
drink a cup of coffee on a weekday afternoon slow.
II.
For the heroes among us –
because you did not run but stayed past five
because you read the tea leaves saw you had a choice to lead
and you did with kind words speech understanding…
you saw the need for safe houses, jeans, clean diapers
giving a child a laptop when school went online
adopt change rethink our next moves amidst turmoil strange waves
sleep through another night pantries full with culturally specific food for morning.
III.
Children play with fresh toys soup simmers tomato and garlic there is nothing more homey than a
grilled cheese sandwich on a rainy day cocoa on a snow day marshmallows dry cozy socks safe,
safe, snow falls outside the window people in waterproof boots wait
on the corner for the bus flowers droop on the grass squirrels hide in their nests rest spring will
come summer new litters robins will return, renew, renewal, new days to come.
IV.
For the woman who stayed late took the phone call with her coat on keys in her hand.
For the driver who asked no questions but quiet dropped off the weeping passenger waved off payment.
For the child who did not go home to a violent scene but moved to a shelter with his family dog, sister and mom.
For the single father who kept his child from harm sought help from his local shelter.
For the advocate who keeps the door open in a pandemic
pays young men who can’t read cash out of his own pocket
to pick up the litter in the streets counsels them for free.
For the Director who after 20 years retires to garden be a full time grandma
who knows the pain of her clients firsthand.
For the legal advocate who leads.
For the survivor who speaks their truth.
For the ASL interpreter who is at this reading
For the politicians who support our work the judges who see the truth
etched in the faces of the humans in front of them
tend to their wounds be civil.
For the way some show up day after day do the work
run towards the fire break the window climb to the second floor
drop babes safe on blankets below
neighbors run on the ground arms outstretched to receive.
– Angela Trudell Vasquez