Remembering

being

in New York City

on 9/11

where for more than 24 hours,

the bridges and tunnels

shut traffic going

in and out

of Manhattan Island.

Remembering

during

the week

of the

Boston Marathon

 being

“locked down”

at home

for 14 hours,

Hearing France’s borders

being closed

after the

horrific attacks

in Paris,

emotions

cascade.

Fear,

horror,

and

kindness.

Think

of

those who

didn’t run away

but went toward

the wounded

to help.

Flowers, candles

become altars

to express

sorrow

and

community.

We

know

even more clearly now,

we are all

in this together.

Locking down our feelings

doesn’t work

for us.

We are connected

in our humanity.

Near and far

reach out.

Social media

has its place.

We need physical

connection.

Reaching out

in the darkness

helps

to heal

wounds that

don’t go away.