the sky
is closer here
closer than it was in that other place
where I lived with humanity smashed up
right against

my face.

there
is a lot of space here. it does not diminish
the ways of humanity. for instance
this afternoon

another high school shooting

in
a crowded suburban rat hole
of public education. what are they
teaching

children these days

certainly
not to turn the other cheek. admittedly
it is difficult to forgive when

you are surrounded

by millions. the blue sky
is a small amount of solace
and desert thorns
this time of year
sprout

flowers.

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