Peril and Promise

Who hasn’t heard the news of what happened Friday and Saturday, August 11th and 12th, in Charlottsville, Virginia? Who hasn’t see the photos of young, white men dressed in brownshirt uniforms or t-shirts and jeans, marching lockstep under Nazi or confederate flags, and not shivered? Who hasn’t seen the video of their night torchlight march across the University of Virginia on Friday, chanting “white lives matter!” and “Jews won’t replace us!” and not shuddered? Who hasn’t seen Heather Heyer’s smile and not shed a tear?

The cries of our dead from Gettysburg and Normandy should break our hearts.

raven’s cry the feral cat draws blood

Who saw the diverse audience–Black, White, Latino, Asian, young and old–gather at Nishuane Park in Montclair, New Jersey for the 2017 Montclair Jazz Festival? Who heard the soul-lifting arrangements of Duke Ellington, Dizzy Guillespie and other Big Band Masters brought so exquisitely to life? Who could witness this celebration of great jazz by great musicians, and not cheer with delight?

The songs of our not-yet-born may yet dry our tears.

breaking dawn a young cardinal takes flight