I don't get mad at them; they are me. I'm three kilometers from a checkpoint where one and the other, one armed and one with arms, navigate a dance of coexistence, a tension of fear and mutual resentment as common as the dust of which we all sprung from.
I don't get mad at them; they are me. I'm three kilometers from a checkpoint where sons and daughters have sought heaven through dismemberment, taking life upon life in a moment, unleashing chaos and fear.
I am slow to anger, so I don't get mad easily. Even when the headlines shade the truth on the sunniest day, misinform in a continual defense of power and subjugation. Even when families are separated by walls and hatred hurls children into hopeless futures.
I am slow to anger, so I don't get mad easily. Living under constant threat from within and without, nuclear arms missiles aimed continually at my heart, murderous minds indoctrinated and equipped for my destruction, declarations of annihilation, and a history to prove it. If you give them an inch, they'll take a mile.
I am slow to speak, quick to listen. Brother James taught me, he learned from his brother, the true Iman-Rabbi-Teacher to us all. He blessed me with a blessing in my present-tense being and my in my doing:
I am poor; I am blessed.
I am mourning; I am blessed.
I am meek; I am blessed.
I am hungry; I am blessed.
I am thirsty; I am blessed.
I am merciful; I am blessed.
I am pure in heart; I am blessed.
I am forgiving; I am blessed.
I am peacemaking; I am blessed.
I am persecuted; I am blessed.
I am reviled; I am blessed.
I am slandered; I am blessed.
I am interiting, I am comforted, I am satisfied, I am receving mercy, I am seeing God, I am called a child of God, I am receiving the Kingdom, I am receiving great reward.
For though I am dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on me a light has dawned.
