Desert Dweller

Even on the plains of terror, there is magic.

Reading about it, seeing pictures of it,
hearing stories by survivors about it
is not the same as experiencing it.
Unfortunately, in order to recognize it,
we have to endure it, witness it.

We are witnesses to cruelty:

the cruelty of hatred
the cruelty of intolerance
the cruelty of indifference

not as concepts but as actions.

Our culture is experiencing labor pains—
of rebirth.

It hurts and it is messy,
but in the thick of it,
there is the magic of possibility.

The possibility of different futures.

Futures of compassion.
Futures of inclusion.
Futures of contentment.
Futures of understanding.

We do not live in a static universe.

Progress
is not preservation
of the status quo.

Progress
is accepting failure,
acknowledging mistakes,
and learning the lessons.

Progress
is change
chauffeured
through conflict,
guided toward resolution
by revolution.

On the plains of terror,
in times of dread,
if we pay attention,
there is also wonder.

© 2026 Bruno Talerico
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