Reflections

Recently, I have noticed a disturbingly common pattern of interaction on important topics.   One party represents a solidified position as “secular,” “scientific” or “based on fact.”   In response, another questions that position and declares a simple openness to various possible other perspectives.   The first party denounces this openness as lunacy, confuses it with an equally solidified opposing opinion, and attributes that opinion to “irrational beliefs.”   The now unquestionable “scientific, secular” position is defended with inquisitional fervor. Here is one such situation: a school demands that a student be “diagnosed” and “coded” by a psychologist so that appropriate resources can be made available to help in class.   The mother wants some of the resources but questions the diagnosis on rational grounds: the symptoms resulted from a childhood infection and the child’s teachers and other professionals involved with him say he has been im...

But with an X on the door We can  By decision  Or by grace Turn away  From thieves pilfering what is not  Our precious freedom And release In a single breath  Ourselves From their black habit

Inarticulate poets Chiseling words letter by letter Cannot reveal unbroken hearts Or break spells by casting stones Backward Any more than time Can reach its rubber arms  Around a rapist And thump him on the back Before it happens