vigil
what difference does it make
if we all stand still together
or fill up a room to hear others
tell stories of love and loss
one woman in town is baking
Ukrainian bread to raise
money to help refugees and
hospitals one loaf at a time
how can a hundred bucks
stop a tank across the ocean
as the room listened a little
girl stood next to me in a
flowered headdress looking
down at a her red boots
her brother turned his
electric candle off and on
as speakers spoke words
I could not understand
because my hearing aids
are loaners I could only sit
and imagine a room in
Poland perhaps filled with
refugees waiting to hear
words that might matter
or standing in line for food
I imagine a little girl in
that room as well without
flowers or red boots
and tonight I am thinking of
her because someone asked
me to sit still and listen as
if that makes a difference
Peace,
Milton
To stop and patiently listen with your heart and mind makes all the difference.