On the edge of peace and despair in East Jerusalem
Worried for bright-eyed children
On their way to school,
And kids strapping on huge guns,
Serving in the army,
So many growing up in a world beyond hope.
I am tired of this,
Living and dying hungry, tired
Of the way others look at me, tired
Of all the ways God gets lost
In so much God-talk.
I am tired of this, tired of
Beautiful people hurling stones and slurs,
Tired of lovely traditions
Handing down hatred, teaching bigotry
As if meanness feeds the human soul,
Offers it something sweet.
I am tired of negotiations breaking down,
And superpowers losing interest
And facts on the ground making
Might seem right. I am tired.
Minutes to midnight, in the falling
Dark of this holy, fractured garden:
Will you, can you
Stay awake with me tonight?
Will you keep watch, keep faith?
Here. With me.
Please. By God. I am so tired.
Minutes to midnight, in the falling
Dark, let us practice resurrection.
Let us be compassion.
My time is now. Our time is now.
Aching for friends like you,
Friends who keep watch here
And stay awake.
