I believe in wrapping the baby in the blanket.
I believe in the father jingling his keys.

I believe in forgiving the son who dented the car,   
the daughter who lost her new shoes.

I believe in recess at school, reasonable roads,
neighbors who sleep late on Saturdays,
who lend you eggs for the cake.

I believe in sharing the cake.

I believe in symphonies and rock concerts.
Otherwise, small groups will do—
poetry readings and the like.

I believe in nature’s wallop, floodwaters,
wild lilies, the slipperiness of minutes,
the usual moon and tides.

I believe, too, in the mania of the many—
countries counting munitions,
subtracting soldiers from the list.

I believe nothing will change this.
Not prayer, nor uniformed officers.

Peace and terror forever,
like the heart’s swell and cramp,
like our wish to rescue the vanishing wolves.