Mercy

a villanelle 

 

With love and kindness always in our sight,

we hold our neighbors’ lives with growing care.

Let us believe that mercy triumphs over might.

 

Though bigotry runs rampant as a blight,

we rail against entrapment by that snare

with love and kindness always in our sight.

 

We march in peaceful protest, day and night,

our signs and songs and voices fill the air:

Let us believe that mercy triumphs over might.

 

We will not shy from such a worthy fight;

our outraged hearts will lay this country bare,

with love and kindness always in our sight.

 

Until all our neighbors rise in equal light,

until the scales of power balance fair,

let us believe that mercy triumphs over might.

 

We stand as one, for what we know is right –

we hug our neighbors, cry and grieve and share.

With love and kindness always in our sight,

let us believe that mercy triumphs over might.