peace

peace demands a turn to speak
from the back row of
the largest classroom
raises a hand in defiance
glances at confrontation
steadies for a fight

my mother
well intentioned told me that peace was
to sit in silence and wait
on God’s timing
but did not teach me that I am a
goddess on my own time
that peace is seldom quiet and
operates in urgency
peace is the sound of feet running
pavement away from cycles of abuse
the sound of mothers lighting candles
in remembrance of dead sons and
daughters blowing smoke as they
ready to free the captives
wings spread

have you ever watched a spider
spin silk around a moth
held your breath through a field of
butterflies in your stomach
wondered aloud and tear filled at
the moment of triumph or long
pause before the
last supper