the law is
as invisible
as the heart
goodness is
what we do
when we
cleave to what
we know is
real & right
inside
integrity
is the self’s way
of judgment
without anger
now is a time
when people have
lost their higher selves––
no kindness
no courtesy
no compromise
the brave man
runs the gauntlet––
the people hiss
& spit
because they
are a mob
& cannot
be their better
angels
virtue protects us––
but not from
pain
the right thing
is not the easy
thing––
& sometimes
the conscience
of the people
is dead
or deeply
asleep