in the towering gardens of Babylon

TO REAP WHAT WE HAVE SOWN

I kneel on the stone
With my hands exposed
Withdrawing needles from their case
And entombing them in plastic

Carefully, slowly
One by one
Thirty of them
From the case
And the backpacks full of changes of clothes
And the clean sneakers

I am seething
If silent
Perhaps not mindful of my own safety
Whatever it may be worth

I refuse to ask permission
I know they will tell me not to touch it
But if I am going to be one of the devils
Who steal shoes
From someone who has nothing
Then by God,
Or by Hell,
I will take responsibility for what is stolen

I will bind up the dangers
I will inventory the losses
I will pray for those we harm
I will pray for our own annihilation

Ameen.