Ian McFarlane – winter, 2012

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(For the compassionate wisdom of Laurel Lloyd-Jones)

To beat back intolerance,

in a time and place

that is – and equally – is not

amenable, is to risk suspension

between what we know of form,

and what we believe of substance;

like a leaf caught on the cusp

of a dangerous definition.

Because hubris defines compassion

in a way that disenchants hope –

however, to understand the leaf

with what we know of love,

is to seek all we need to know

of wisdom.