Longer Step: Ideas for Justice and Sustainability

I see leaves quivering in the breeze, Just like how we shimmy our outstretched hands, In gratitude, sometimes, instead of clapping. The trees are happy, Happy that you are here, with the rest of us, Trying to make this a better world, together. And because the trees know that you are here, doing that, You cannot quit on them. Hang in there.

  Since 1945, a long long time ago, the USA has never won a war. Not that we didn't try--we've killed, maimed, and displaced hundreds of thousands of innocent people since then. But, each time, we lost. Now, on our great nation's holiday, many around me are shooting off fireworks. Big ones. Just like artillery, missiles, rifles. Thick. A cacaphony. Maybe it is a form of apology for all the wars we lost? But, sadly, maybe not. Maybe it's a continuation of the collective lie that this is still a great nation. Depends on how you measure great, I suppose.