Kate Baer: And Yet

there comes a time when you stop hoping for
One American Hero
and realize there is only you-
picking trash from the neighbor's yard,
hauling jars to the recycle bin,
calling your great-aunt Susan even though
she is not just your aunt Susan and
this is not just your godforsaken earth.

It is depressing to know a war is coming.
Worse to know the war will always be in you.

Little cauldron, little tender loon.
Take comfort in your bold heart
where hope and fear are mingling.