In here, we are righteous

Standing here among these hearts

and minds, intertwined and tangled

like lovers’ limbs,

we are reminded

     of what we are

     and what we are not.

Stained

uniform pieces litter

floor and bodies but we

do not focus on the negligible.

The important things…

they are found in air around us,

bouncing off each other like atoms,

truth and fellowship.

In here,

we are giants.

Far larger than the fates

that conspire against us,

we tower over them

like terrible lizards.

They don’t frighten us in here.

Our teeth are larger than theirs.

We have survived asteroids.

This is more than mortar and

stone. This place is sanctuary.

We remember who we are

in here.

We are flesh and sinew.

We are mind, will, and emotions.

We are temples unto ourselves.

Wash yourself holy in our smoke.

In here,

we present to each other

offerings of concrete

for faulty foundations.

In here,

we are equals.

Wearied souls who find rest in the

rejuvenation of each other.

In here,

we are quenched.

We are self-governing.

In here,

we are righteous.