Immunization

I learned how to bathe
in the light of God’s love
while tragedy
tried to torture me
with temptations
toward annihilation.
I learned how to forgive
even the most cruel attacks
because the thought
of holding on
to the knife in my heart
was far too bloody even for my imagination.
I learned how to dance
while the moon cycled red
with my head to the sky
and my mouth open wide
to taste the slow drip
of poison as it poured.
I learned how to laugh
both first and last
so that the inevitable crash
would never cut
too close
to my protected core.

Tags