Navigate

By Lisa Haugen

Discrimination is a form
of personal disorientation—
it’s not the same as differentiation.
Discern, don’t discriminate
integrate
“turn from fear to love”
“all violence stems from hate.”
When you look outside
you’re always seeing
inside.
Learn to navigate.
Self-regulate.
If you must (and you must) expostulate
then take some time to let go
rest, reinstate peace, don’t shun
but engage in some creative interpolation.
Use your imagination:
don’t be afraid to create the world you want to see
because love will always rise
to fill the gaps
between you and me.