The tick that carries spotted fever

malaria that mosquitos pass

on to mere kids, and then the cancer

that twists, subverts, deforms normal cells–

who can ever say this world is good?

…

The mind that in an empty room hears

loud voices saying run, hurt, be bad

not good, rape, kill, then die yourself.  Fears

are all around.  There is no hope left.

…

We can be as deformed as our world.

…

Can someone befriend us when bereft?

Join us with our demons in the cold?

Maybe not help us to understand

evil all around, but hold our hand?

– Steve Shoemaker, Urbana, IL, June 7, 2012