every day, something
I no longer choose
to watch news
but it oozes in
malignant
headline here
car radio there
snippets overheard
while waiting
Taiwan earthquake,
aid workers bombed
child migrant drowned
in the Rio Grande
the choice seems stark
do I stay open
to these assaults
or snap shut
in self-protection?
neither the solution
so I live with the grief
pray
drink the dark
into my heart’s kiln
transmute
grim to love
and float it out
2024 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.
the heart of the matter 
Amrita, thank you for staying open to the grief!
It is collective and entirely appropriate under these circumstances.
It is the same openness that you bring to each morning’s miracles so beautifully.
You have earned it.
It measures your power of transmutation
Also collective,
and priceless!
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Ah, Barton, this means a lot. Thank you, old friend.
love to you both,
Amrita
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