In the Spaces by Ann Gerondelis

O God
I’ve learned
To keep my distance
Six feet apart
Making space
You stand there
I’ll stand here
I disagree with you
And you with me
So we make a bit of space
And we co-exist
Then we step back
Everywhere there are those who agree with me
And those who agree with you
What does making space look like now?
Does it look like a police line in a crowd?
Like polarizing newsfeeds?
Does it look like people on opposite sides of the street shouting answers
When questioning conversations around tables might have served us well?
Does it look like defense budgets that continue to grow
And immigration raids in the still of the night?
Does it look like increasing gun sales and cities ripped apart by violence?
Like battles named and victories claimed?
Like flag-draped coffins
And earthen holes six feet deep?
Help us O God to not make space like this
Not like this
Help us O God
Help us all.

Amen

Photo by Ann Gerondelis
Arrival of the National Guard at the Philadelphia at the Municipal Services building
June 2020