Saintliness and Sin
Is it possible, within the city's
Bustle, to be quiet—
To walk or sit in peace amidst
The clamor of the riot?
I had often tried to do this, tried to
Slow from moving fast—
To pause and breathe and gather in—
Although this didn’t last.
And though one thing or other
Would come and prick my bubble,
If I’d ever stalled within this,
I could be in bigger trouble.
To disengage from madnesses
Of fear or scorn or rage
Invites, alas, no kindnesses
From those who still engage.
Within a mass hysteria,
As in a mad stampede,
Whoever tries to slow or stop
Is trampled well indeed!
******
There’s the yin within the yang and there's
The yang within the yin.
So day and night can alternate
And saintliness and sin.
And so I laugh when fit to cry
And weep as I am smiling.
I venture out in stormy rain
And run in when it’s shining.
I listen to our “enemies”,
I question all our wars
And hum my verse to Venus when
The others sing to Mars.
I see the sides to everything
As often as I can.
I see the Muslim in the Jew,
The woman in the man.
But still I cannot slow enough,
Within the rush we’re in,
To be at peace as wars abound—
Be clear amidst the sin.
2025 Nov. 13, Thu.
(4th, 5th, & last 2 quatrains, Nov. 19)
Berkeley, California
