“Love your enemies,” Jesus says,
in scripture I read today –
and I am not sure
whether it is good advice
for the forty-fifth leader of my nation
who names all the world – enemy,
even his yesterday-friends,
or more likely to me –
reminding me to open a chink
in my self-righteous heart –
to love this deeply damaged,
frightened,
and so dangerous man,
but reminded, also,
it is not my cheek he strikes,
not my coat he takes.
(for those outside the United States — Presidents Day is a thing — the Monday between the birthday’s of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln both of which were legal holidays not long ago)
Gifts in Open Hands 