When you wake up,
Make sure it is just before dawn
So it is the moon and stars that greet you,
As they peek behind damp clouds
And bare branches.
Let the glow of their reflected light
Warm you up
For the battle you create for the day.
Perhaps you start to think about the beauty and peace of it all.
This is allowed,
But make sure to also note how this beautiful morning
May cease to exist 20 years from now
Due to the greed and votes of people
Who put luxury over clean air,
Power over preservation.
Stare at the moon.
Sip your coffee.
Seethe.
As daylight slinks across the skyway,
Notice the light pinks, pale blues, and lavender hues.
Thoughts about the new day,
A fresh start,
And the ignition of intrinsic motivation to act,
Are strongly encouraged here.
However,
Make sure a portion of your motivation is rooted
In spite.
Believe your actions will show others just how wrong they are
About the world.
And as the pinks and purples in the sky
Transform to a yellow light with a blue backdrop,
Make sure you are reminded of
The Trans Pride flag and Ukraine.
Look at a tree,
Take another sip of coffee,
And seethe again.
Who will be the opponent of your inner ire today?
Now is the time to choose.
Is it your mother in law?
A co-worker?
Your neighbor who has political signs in the window that only went up after the election results?
Is it people who are calling for
A surface level kindness,
Without the depth of justice or accountability?
Is it those who are threatening violence,
Or committing violence,
Emboldened by manipulated news and hate?
Or maybe it’s the people who are rushing your grief,
Because your rage is too uncomfortable for them to sit with.
Whomever the contender,
As the argument in your head starts to heat up,
And your heartbeat quickens,
And your teeth clench,
And your mind races
With counterpoints of
logic and compassion and calls for humanity,
Remember,
that holding a grudge is very personal work,
And therefore can be quite lonely,
As it often thrives in isolation.
And you are, in fact,
Fighting with no one — not really anyway.
So while the anger in your soul is justified
It is valid and it belongs
Make sure that as your coffee turns cold,
And the sun appears over the horizon,
That you put the grudge down,
Creating room to hold a fierce and all powerful Love instead.
Stand up.
Breathe.
And breathe again.
Copyright © 2024 by Stephanie Evans Hanson
Days beyond the election, almost a new month, and I continue to re-read your poem for inspiration and solace.
A balm for the soul and beautifully writ. I’ll keep this alongside my easel forever to be read each morning. Thank you!
Brilliant! That’s the only word needed.
“Is it people who are calling for
A surface level kindness,
Without the depth of justice or accountability?”
This speaks to me so much!
Oh Stephanie – what a poem! Strong and tender at the same time. Fierce, and loving. So perceptive of you to see the Pride and Ukraine flags in the sunrise we less perceptive have missed.
It’s a marvelous poem. Thank you so much! (Written at the blood bank after doing my bit to help out).