the gods do not ask us to nurse their wounds

you must balance

you must learn to stand & brace yourself

when the push is on

when the crust is crumbling under the mash of the batons

peace and love does not mean 

don’t have discipline 

place the heart under vest &

toes on pavement 

veins to flex bruise blood

sustain it, sustain it, sustain it

& we will shout

their names