Nothing can be saved but that
we heed the call to our humanity,
take up hearts and minds  to
stave off the deafening winds
of disregard and retribution.

Our world has not yet perished.
These lives we carry withstand
errors and woundings, the heave
of grief and swell of need.
But it cannot hoard emptiness
that pretends as if it is fullness or
ignorance as if wisdom, and fare well.

Let not any thought render useless
the import of daily dreams and acts.

Instead create right and good of little,
be amazed, enamored of one another,
find strength in a more willing spirit
and walk with expectancy into that
center where light cannot be hidden.

Nor ourselves, though rent by hardship,
no less valiant, not undone, unmoved.

Nothing can be saved but that
we heed the call of our humanity.
Buoy up, protect heart and mind
then combat this maddening noise
of destruction and revenge.
Be one among the many who hold fast,
remind yourself this is necessary,
it is humane as it is brilliant:

to build the courageous engine of hope
even when hope may beg to flee.

(Photos taken at a Romani Festival, 2013.)