Imagine if

 

or after a dog has lunged at another
and being kicked hard in the ribs
and now the owners circle each other
intent on protecting and defending
what feels like their existence
 

or the hooting aggressive driver
deranged by frustration or something else
who screeches to a halt and flies out
of his car with a bat or knobkirie
 

and the policeman, unprepared, panicked, adrenalin pumping,

wanting to prove his mettle to his fellow cops
about to pull the trigger and kill someone's father, brother, son

 

imagine if
 

we could just hit pause
and order everyone
to lie down, breathe, assume 

the foetal position; right arm extended
under the head, 
knees drawn into the taut belly
which softens a little with each exhalation

 

imagine if
 

those fists unfurl
before they break and regret

imagine if
 

a friend or bystander or the breeze
might gently stroke those boy men
and whisper to them words
that become a golden enveloping
spray of grace

"I find no lack
in the miracle that you are
so rest now
my beloved
do not be afraid
and
trouble each other
and yourself
no more "

 

imagine if