The Headline

The headline read,

“This Is Worse Than You Can Imagine!!!!”

A headline for the unobservant and

Under engaged

A headline for privileged amateurs 

Or the willfully ignorant. 

Because 

We have seen the worst

And what we haven’t seen we can easily imagine. 

We have seen the thugs and the bullies

We have seen the disease and the deaths 

We have seen the unashamed racism. 

We’ve heard the insults and misogyny,

The kneejerk Islamophobia and

The ancient antisemitism. 

We suffer the shitty art and the golden vulgarity and

The disfigured faces. 

But yes, it can get worse. 

Blessed Holy Wholeness 

We pray for the strength to endure the worsening worst

So that we may survive to build and rebuild the best. 

Amen

PRAYER TO THOSE LIGHTING CANDLES

 

Happy Hanukkah!

Blessed be the Maccabees who keep watch!

The ones who blow whistles,

The ones who swarm the bullies and

Stand in front of their cars,

The ones who video the atrocities 

And the ones who know right from wrong. 

May they be safe while making their good trouble.  

Happy Hanukkah!

Blessed be the Maccabees who work through the system!

The ones who run for office and vote,

The ones who strike and boycott 

The ones who find and tell truth,

The ones who follow due process 

And the ones who demonstrate and civilly disobey.  

May all their tools work in this battle against evil. 

Happy Hanukkah!

Blessed be the Maccabees who keep the candles burning!

The ones who use religion to love and heal,

The ones who honor diversity and create unity,

The ones who teach kindness,

The scientists and librarians who persevere 

And the ones who mock the enemy and help us laugh. 

May they continue to speak freely. 

Happy Hanukkah!

Blessed be all these Maccabees and more

As they organize and create

For our city

For our country 

For all people

For freedom and the future!

Light your candles and join them. 

Amen