On Unselfing My Craven Heart
I was a coward
for not stopping
to save the box turtle
paralyzed with fear,
halfway across the road,
even if it was dangerous
for me, too.
I just drove on
Noting to my gutless self,
“She’ll be ok. She’ll make it.”
Returning along that road later,
I did not see her again.
I wish
I could
accept
the fate of not knowing
“Whether” or “if”.
Such are the fruits
Of cowardice.
All we can do is harvest
remembrance
and hope
and be less afraid next time.
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In these difficult times we’re often faced with the “turtle in the road” conflict. I think most do as you did. The drive on, but wonder “if”.
In the 1970s, when I first recognized how religious right universities were training young people and seeding them into all branches of government, in entry-level roles, knowing that in 20-30 years many would rise to positions of power, what if, I’d dedicated my life to exposing this strategy and trying to get others to join me.
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I based my whole teaching career on the idea of helping my learners to detect all the BS and ‘enshittification’ that the right represents. We have so much in common. Keep on!