My Amygdala

 my amygdala

doesn’t know the difference

between

running for my life

and reading the relentless news

 

except for my faith

that love wins in the end,

the distress signals

to my hypothalamus

are the only reliable constant

every new headline

spells injustice

portends disaster

and signals one more reason

to defend the cause of the weak

and maintain the rights

of the poor and oppressed

 

that’s Psalm 82

in case you’ve forgotten

 

is it good

for me to be

in a constant hypervigilant state?

 

maybe not

 

but for now

I choose to

do justice

love mercy

and ask my Maker

how to walk humbly

through this world…

through my country…

and through my embarrassing privilege

it’s an uneven turf

this now inhospitable place

a veritable haven

turned minefield

where masked men

and those with cushioned seats in government

are complicit

and gunning

for those without

dollars and connections

those without

white skin or green cards

those without a single moment of peace