QUOTE : Even on those days<br />the news is fully bad.<br />And all you can do is get out of bed<br />and failing that<br />give thanks you have a bed not to get out of.<br />What does it take to make us smile<br />when we feel the sword of anger<br />and hatred<br />sharp against the backs<br />of our peaceful necks?<br />What does it take<br />to make us stand together<br />as if we just grew that way?<br />What does it take to know<br />the day of peace and justice <br />will one day come?<br />No matter who<br />is so badly<br />directing traffic? <br />What does it take<br />to feel a joy so strong<br />you can almost levitate?<br />All it takes, really,<br />is presence,<br />knowing that you, and those who feel<br />as you do,<br />ignoring roadblocks<br />will arrive.<br />Will brave the flights, the slights,<br />the nights of wondering<br />if and why:<br />the years of pain sometimes required<br />to know<br />where it is most essential<br />to appear.