When the world becomes heavy,
take it inside
When the waves breach the levee,
take it inside
When she just won’t stop asking,
take it inside
When a friend is unmasking,
take it inside
When the children have gone,
take it inside
When the bad guys have won,
take it inside
When the armies advance,
take it inside
When you haven’t a chance,
take it inside
When night lays unclaimed,
take it inside
When excuses are blamed,
take it inside
When the money’s all spent,
take it inside
When your emotion’s been lent,
take it inside
When the mime begins talking,
take it inside
When the end comes back knocking,
take it inside
When the music plays hollow,
take it inside
When the Angels build lean-to’s,
take it inside
When the berries have been picked,
take it inside
When the Pope throws a fit,
take it inside
When the words just won’t come,
take it inside
When the choice zero-sum,
take it inside
“Inside there’s a fortress,
with ramparts of light
“One choice beyond choosing,
—one vision beyond sight”
(Villanova Pennsylvania: February, 2018)