Gathering

Candles. Flashlights. Lots of extra batteries.
Warm clothing. Protection from rain, sun, and wind.
Food and fresh water: lots of fresh water.
Our voices, and all the songs we've memorized,
all the harmonies we've ever learned.
Our smiles, our laughter: we mustn't leave these behind.
Your hand in mine. My head on your shoulder.
A compass: the kind that can help us navigate by starlight.

Yes, the dark is very dark and the wind is cold--
and I'm frightened.

I love you so much, my loved ones.
We need to find courage together.
To raise our voices. To resist what is wrong. To cultivate
a long perspective, to see this for what it is:
another dark moment in history.