We start to consider
what it will take to become real,
what it will take to release ourselves
from the role in the story
in which we have no power
to infuse the structure
with our integrity,
no power to ensure
our livelihood is built on justice.

We will become real
because we do have power.
We must build our world from scratch
because it can be right,
and we’re not living
till we own
all the consequences
of our actions,
till they reflect
our natural, steady,
all-embracing care.

©Wendy Mulhern
January 4, 2014