slowly
how slowly how sweet
this work of loving
of seeing the lines on your neighbor’s hands
of looking down at your own
to wonder at the age and memory of them
quietly
how quietly we move
toward revolution
toward the darkness of the womb
believing a new world could be born
out of the foment of this earth’s pain
fiercely
joy as the gift of love
comes like a wildcat to my gates
batting at this fear on its hind legs
“go home! go home to your babies!”
spears rattling: we will together protect tomorrow’s young
Love is a form of sweet labor: fierce, bloody, imperfect, and life giving – a choice we make over and over again. As labor, love can be taught, modeled, and practiced. “Revolutionary love” is the choice to enter into labor for others, for our opponents, and for ourselves in order to transform the world around us. It is not a formal code or prescription but an orientation to life that is personal and political. It engages all our emotions: Joy is the gift of love. Grief is the price of love. Anger protects that which is loved. And when we think we have reached our limit, wonder is the act that returns us to love.” — Valarie Kaur