devastating

we share the peace
in churches where we share
the peace
and
do we mean it
I think so
in the moment
anyway
then move on
through other liturgical obligations

then
there’s the peace outside
or lack of it
as
we know through local violence
and through war
wherever

in the heart that hates
justified by someone
for
some cause
and
yes
causes are important

but not the hatred
hatred’s not important

even though it causes loss
and
yes
destruction
of homes
minds
and hearts

and spirits can go wounded for a while
a long while

and what’s the restitution

we can talk reparation
but
what’s needing fixing is not money
or material
as I think you know

but soul
that needs repairing
by God and angels
though
while we’re here
through our pardon and our love
       love
       as pardon
for each other

and who can speak love
along bombed streets
leaning houses
if
houses at all

or what if the rival has learned nothing
in fact
in a state
keeping the world’s profit
even adulation
after all

after all the sacrifice
all the tortuous existence while conflict knew
its own
and took our parts of us
that
might remain wounded
even gone
for the foreseeable time

and
what does love call for then
while revenge
is warm
while damage is assessed then funded
and fixed
as best as can be done

and then tried patience for
the rest

but
that we try
on the gray days
with
autumn colors fading
barren winter
still
to come

c l couch


from actually inspiring events in response to the KKK intrusion in the town

Mechanicsburg Residents Pack Town Hall in Response to KKK Recruitment at Halloween Parade
story by Alton Northup
• 12h • [noon, 10/30/2025]
WHTM Harrisburg

and while reading “The Peace” by the Hermit Poet
at Edge of Humanity Magazine

photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash