Friends-
As a former water scientist, I had regarded swamps as a beneficial, although difficult to traverse formation – a combination of forest, water, and land. The land in a swamp is mostly mud and the water is saturated with sediment and vegetation – not at all a place to easily see what lives and how it works. And 'good luck' if we're looking for some lost item through all that quagmire, because we will struggle to find a path through the opacity of the water, the entanglement of leaves and sludge, and (of course) threat of venomous snakes.
It is no wonder that people have used the word 'swamp' to refer to the ridiculous quagmire of an agency that is opaquely dishonest in its operations. I am using the word 'swamp' here with a sense of utter fatigue in trying to describe the forces that are dismembering our beloved country. The true forces are disguised by complicated and murky lies, engorged with swamp-greed, and the promotion of fear from venoms imparted by un-named creatures that lurk unseen.
But this is where we are, it seems. The best we can do is look at that Higher Place of love and kindness, follow our own sense of what is humane, hold hands with the ones we know and trust, and seek out those that act with love and kindness. It is possible to navigate this swamp, but it will not be easy, and we must avoid the desire to be vengeful, double think actions that may lean toward hate rather than love.
There is strength in that methodology of kindness and love. Use it to help guide others onto the path forward. And go we must. Follow the strong ones that do not move to deceive. Follow the good growth that has risen above.
margie cooper lopez read
Margie Lopez Read
