Bereft
When the social securities we take for granted disappear
along with the underpinnings
of basic Law and Order,
Water, Air, Food,
Electricity and Wi-Fi,
Safe Space - a roof, a door,
Recourse to healthcare
Road access and transportation
the first and last is family, community.
A hand to hold, be held by
from birth until dying
and, if we could but remember,
for everything inbetween.
Concurrent with God.
Anarchy is not only a name
for the loss or lack of those things
but the basic primitive fact
on which and why humans
build societal groups, tribes, races - survival skills, legal precedents
learns about loving, loyalty, honour,
developing ethical, faith, health systems and codes,
creative in crafting and construction;
entrained and redeemed
by compassion.
Now, it’s a towering, top-heavy edifice
vulnerable to the least shove
to its foundations,
fault or entropy in structural integrity
or a circumstantial, environmental
blow to its lego structure and poof! like the walls of Jericho and Tower of Babel,
Humpty Dumpty tumbles down.
From air conditioned, electrified, sanitary - even aesthetic - living spaces,
safe sleep, communicant, with
freezer stashed, store cupboarded,
warm blanketed and clothed,
comfort and entertainment on tap
to become, in a moment, homeless.
This, a direr new becoming as sudden and violent as any birthing;
the power in being helpless, at risk, freely let go,…yet
…the most potent manifestation
of newborn beauty itself;
bursting with promise and potentials
of Continuity. Uncertainty. Devotion.
The dignity, strength and courage
implicit in be-ing, breathing.
As much a metamorphosis and miracle as any humdrum butterfly.
So, sitting with empty hands
unencumbered on the ground
blessed, left with company and air,
the disenfranchised wait.
Not for charity.
Water is not charity - it is Life.
But for respect;
that the world, our brothers may surely know: we are all one.
It could be any”one” of us - beloved.
We bear and share each others
burdens, achievements, fears
and their consequences.
But for compassion and grace.
April