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Brian Insisted We Watch "Sinners" (Ryan Coogler's vampire movie with Michael B. Jordan)

 Brian Insisted We Watch “Sinners”

(the Ryan Coogler vampire movie with Michael B. Jordan, among others)


I find myself watchful, 

feinting, jabbing, ducking more with 

institutional power these days.


Sometimes led, sometimes leading

I am aware of roles, or

intentionally refuse them.

Which can be unwise. Or holy.

Or both.


Those with institutional power 

pretend they have authority,

projecting pain onto any who will bear it

assuming a pattern earned

by pedestaled leaders who came before.


Those truly free to serve within institutions

listen deeply to a silence within themselves, 

loving those around into Grace, even Mystery

led by a pattern surrendered into

by one or more beloveds who came before.


The institutional match-steps are stamped

with flawed, exacting abuse.

Living, free bodies left 

hurting, silenced, disdained

as power wounds from unexamined hurts,

cycling again and again

rote words without competence or curiosity


We are human collectives long dead,

simply unaware of it, as of yet.

Well intentioned human beings

bound by presumption of

self-sacrificial service, operating instead

corpse-like with deadened rituals, idols of process.


Then last week, Brian insisted we watch “Sinners,”

which now begs the question:


What about the walking corpses among us?

those unaware of their woundings,

their bloodthirsty refusals, their entranced pains?


How are we to love them?


Do we sharpen wooden stakes 

so to defend from the heart, freeing them

through the heart unseeing, unfeeling?


Do we hide out in the barn,

Confident that the morning light will come in time?


Most of us will be hiding out in the barn, methinks.

For the next months anyway,

until this season’s boxing-dance 

with institutional power is done.

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About Me

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Wisdom Walker
I am a scholar, companion, friend, contemplative, wife, daughter, teacher, poet, and most importantly for this space, a writer. I learn best by entering into practice, listening deeply, and remaining open to those who will share their path and passions with me.

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