For you, as you grieve

You were so proud
of your new country,
all the joy in your eyes
when you spoke of your people
and their strengths
and foresight

Now as the fires rage around you,
I hold you in my heart
and say this

forgive the lapses
for we are all people
deep inside

with anger
and prejudice
and hatred
and envy

yet there is also
deep, deep love
and this too shall pass

nothing lasts forever
not the mirage of normalcy
nor the anger
all passion is spent
sooner than later

and then comes the calm
the regret

and the peace
slowly poking its head
from amidst the ruins

and we build again
as we have always done
through centuries
of existence
all that lives on is love

remember that
as your heart beats on
and place your hand over it
as I would have done
had I been beside you tonight

.