We Are Given Light

There are times when words can save the day,

Ease a heart,

A nation sway.

Then they fail,

Nothing to say.

In shock and pain.

Well,

Anyway,

I painted flowers on canvas white.

The leaves just weren't going right,

Another waste of art tonight.

Well,

She was struck.

Then tried to fight.

I did not see she was pushed and shoved by a man who should have loved.

Pushed her down from up above,

Pushed her again and said,

Tough love.

She called in tears then rushed to silence.

I listened,

Painted violets.

She spoke of tonight's violence,

Then she stopped.

Back to silence.

All that happened though I tried to aid was a painting wretched made.

Couldn't even say her name to save herself.

She had to fade.

I thought of how I could get her out.

Not enough money to pull her out,

Too many kids to get them out.

I painted over.

Blewed it out.

I was too late to hide the mistakes.

The paint had dried in hardened snakes.

I thought how much paint does it take?

Just how much paint?

For heaven's sake.

Heaven brought me thoughts.

Much starker.

Space isn't nice because it's darker.

Black is in a box of markers.

We don't look to heaven because it's darker.

All unknown and yet to see it glows.

In front of us the light it glows of something else that we don't know.

Always shining through the holes.

Cruel balance in this,

Our universe,

Better comes.

Only after worse.

The whole point in this hopeless verse.

We are given light to fight the curse.

I do not have words to save the day nor money take them all away.

All I have is to paint this way.

Brilliant colors that only stay bright in front of terrifying pasts.

A sign that light will always last.

That no one's destiny is cast.

My friend,

My friend,

Someday at last.

We will shine like nothing else can.

No one beating woman or man.

The dark won't swallow,

But it will fan our fires new.

Take my hand.

In such light we will stand.