In the human heart is a space
large enough to hold another
or a world tossed in the heavens.
In the deepest dark of night
we may sense it even in us.
We imagine it is ours
attached to our being
fixed in proximity to our days
then, with our death, it goes away.

We know not much of our heart
expect so little of it, cannot
fathom its cosmic reach, the way
it belongs to us but is not ours alone.
That is the way with the martyr.
In a moment they understand,
touch an infinite and unspeakable glory
barely knowing that, soon,
their lives will be over.
Precious time have they to say
words of love and forgiveness
yet their actions speak for them
about the ways of the human heart
when it opens to all the world.

---

Portland, Oregon – May 30, 2017

Dedicated to and inspired by the Portland martyrs, Rick Best and Taliesin Myrddin Namkai-Meche, who gave their lives protecting two young girls on a train in Portland on May 26, 2017.

There was another who stepped up and lived.  He also is to be counted among those called courageous and a hero.  He is Micah David-Cole Fletcher who wrote this poem from his hospital bed:

I, am alive.
I spat in the eye of hate and lived.
This is what we must do for one another
We must live for one another
We must fight for one Mother
We must die in the name freedom if we have
to. Luckily it’s not my turn today.