Tag Archives: Aurora

I cannot imagine the pain
I witness from a distance
I have no first-hand experience

And yet,
as I hear the news from
Milwaukee
Aleppo
the Nuba Mountains
Aurora
Rutshuru
Damaturu

As I know
that violence
random
planned
systemic
structural
violence
harms
my sisters and brothers
nearby and far away

My heart breaks – anew – tonight
my heart breaks – again – tonight
my heart breaks – still – tonight

And I wonder
how much pain
can the hearts of
individuals and communities
ripped by violence
endure

5 August 2012
Shire on the Hudson
Manhattan