Where can we seek safety?
Not in numbers,
not in nameless crowds,
Not in being one of many,
herded, sheeplike, following the rules —
Not everything that claims to lead
is kind
And clearly, there’s no kind of safety
in following blind

How can we seek safety?
Not in more guns,
Not in more locks and keys,
Not in protection from so-called Security
Not in turning our faces
away from strangers,
Not in buying insurance
against all dangers

Not in conformity,
Not from policemen,
Not from reliance on logic and reasons,
Only by building
through small trusts, by hand
a net of acceptance that covers the land —
a weaving us in with no outside for anyone,
no one cast off, left afar —
Then we’ll be safe where we are.

©Wendy Mulhern
June 6, 2014