poetry | Hallway to Nowhere

100 Seconds To Midnight (Poem)

We look around at a landscape

Forever altered by the presence of nuclear weapons.

We stand and wonder,

Where is our home? And who will lead us there?

We hear the inexorable ticking of the clock

As it moves closer to midnight.

Do not turn away and hide.

That seems the easy path, but it is futile.

We must open our eyes, our ears, our hearts, and our minds

To join together to repair this broken world.

The varied clothing of our differences-

Be they religion, skin color, nationality or any other-

Does not change our relation underneath.

Everyone is part of the family of humanity.

Let us choose life, so that all might live.

My dog gave proof that she is more

Than the pretty construct in my mind

And a wonderful companion.

She is teeth and claws and a fierce heart.

She will strike with deadly force

And kill to defend to our home.

She remembers that she is related to wolves,

Even though I did not.

She is a working dog,

And her talents are myriad and great.

I am so grateful to have her in my life.

Trying to hold on.

Unsure if I can.

I’m on the precipice.

I don’t know whether

To look down

(To see the void into which I’ll fall)

Or behind me

(To see if there is anything to steady me).

For now I remain here in painful indecision

Alone on this ledge.