A Poem for the Revolution

No Evil Threat

(with all apologies to Anne Sexton)

There is no evil I will allow to rob me

of my joy, the joy of those I love,

the joy of nature, the trees, the grass,

the crystal clear rivers and springs,

the wild animals,

the heron fishing in the shallows,

the alligator and the possum,

the song bird and the hawk,

the snake protecting me

from certain death by rodents,

all of it, the aphids on the leaves,

the peppers in my garden,

the books of poetry on my shelf,

the music I can listen to.

They may come with evil on hot pokers

and whips and bullets,

they may come for me

and put me away in a small dark room

with bad air and no sewer.

They may curse me and poke my eyes out.

But as long as I live and breathe,

I will have the joy of the memories

of a long life of beauty and love

and kindness and the goodness of food, of people.

The evil cannot get inside of me,

for I am protected there.

Today no one threatens me,

but I know the day may come,

and I am ready, with love

and joy I will always go forward.