Side Effects

Written by Miguel Santamaria

Miguel looking at camera

I feel so angry, so angry

that I know I'm deeply grieving

for the injustices of life,

for the injustice of war,

for the history of injustice,

for countless losses,

close to the bone and far away.

I know I'm not alone.

Who has escaped the ravages of injustice?

Who has escaped the cruelty of this time?

and of the hundreds of years just like it?

I'm done pretending, let's stop pretending,

We're breathing pain,

side effects of such a time as this.

There are no masks for this kind of thing

Resilience? Perhaps survival

and yet, a call,

to be a wounded healer

to bear someone else's pain,

more pain! What a burden!

a cup I don’t want to drink.

A way to life? I know so,

but I wish there would be another way.

Resurrection sounds different than before

A more personal need, here! Now!

Breathe on me, breath on us, o Holy one,

and may I inhale with all the strength I have.

Rev. Miguel Santamaria is a Certified Educator at Morton Plant Hospital and can be reached at Miguel.Santamaria@baycare.org