6:27 But I say to you who give ear to me, Have love for those who are against you, do good to those who have hate for you, 6:28 Give blessing to those who give you curses, say prayers for those who are cruel to you.

Luke 6:27-28 BBE

Poetry

noticing the migrant workers—

two to a wheelbarrow of concrete—

mending the walls of the rich

that exclude them

not speeding past the Mexican

landscape and lawn workers

and homeless drunks

on their way to church

As if it lasts

the protest against

the long wait to enter the death chamber,

the taking of new or old or any life

As if they change anything

clouds in a blue sky that

arrest the heart

words rising from the dark cave

into the light

war being the outcome anyway

just or unjust

those against it mocked and crowned

with shame

As if they already possess it

the merciful

who continue to pray

and labor and protest

without counting the measure

with which they measure

Murray Bodo is a Franciscan friar, author, and visiting professor in the Franciscan Institute at St. Bonaventure University in New York.