Let us

clear out all this excess we’ve equated 

to perfection, purpose, production— we’ve worshiped

America; curated

the beautiful diversity and democratic 

zeal— we’ve exchanged 

freedom for politics— we’ve lost 

something, life 

along the way we’ve had seasons of 

disruption, restriction like this though

can only ready us 

for revival, we require it; perspective

shifts and we cannot survive if 

we do not see our own reflection, we must 

be rescued from complacency, survive despite

overindulgence out of boredom— we gorge;

this cannot be our mode of operation, we lack 

moderation in these modern times, we need

only what is truly essential, for being 

present and preserving what we do have

left, we remain, we hold on

to what is right, we admit 

we do not have all the answers, but we try 

anyway, we will stand

in solidarity— now and always—

because now we have a reason to 

be resilient, a season to 

persevere, experience

clarity and contentment— together 

let us rise, we will

be the people; we are

united by refinement.

—Kelsey Boone DeYoung

April 1, 2020