Paint

My apartment building will be painted
today. I’m waiting, cooped up with
windows & doors closed, shut off
from any breeze. It’s hotter than normal,
& I’m waiting too for the job to be done.
I hear rattling of metal ladders
but the sounds are too far away.
This pales suddenly: the news
is horrific. Another mass shooting,
more Americans dead & wounded.
Staying inside somehow makes
it more painful, & even worse.
What are the colors of change,
of healing?

Andrew Shattuck McBride

Dedicated to the memory of my American Sikh brothers and sisters murdered on August 6, 2012. I send my wishes for rapid recovery and healing for those wounded, and I send my blessings to Sikh communities throughout the U.S. and around the world.

“Paint” is my August 6th poem for the 2012 postcard poetry project. I used an antique card view of “Stevens Pass Highway [Washington]” in the Fall and mailed it to Danielle of Greenbank, Washington.

Blessings to Danielle and all, Andy

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