By Katie Sarah Zale, Compassionate Listening Facilitator

Red, White, and Blue
Ten flags breathe
in and out in the wind
as the freshwater lake
tosses and turns,
dreaming of the sea.
Two birds that once
were eagles
circle the sky
and one another.
We angels along the shore,
our wings pinned
beneath our coats
to fend off the cold,
pause to watch—
our brows furrowed,
our eyes moist
in memory
and disappointment.
I hear the sun
break through a cloud
like a voice
too long silent.
We remove our coats
one by one.
The white that fills the sky
is blinding.
A poet speaks:
watching a turtle
cross the white sand—
how changed the world.
Home again,
I know I must write this down
or it will be forgotten.
First, I put on my coat.
I am always cold.
—for all the Braver Angels
June 27-29, 2024 National Convention

Katie Sarah Zale is the creator of The Listening Tree Project (LTP), an academic program with Compassionate Listening and interactive theatre (Theatre of the Oppressed) as its foundational tools. Formerly an English teacher at Shoreline Community College and Cascadia College in Washington, Katie used LTP as a vehicle to introduce Compassionate Listening and interactive theatre as across-the-curriculum tools to increase multicultural understanding and to create citizens of the world. LTP promoted a climate of equality, justice, and respect for all people, and facilitated student leadership development. Katie published her first poetry book, The Art of Folding, following her travels with the Compassionate Listening Project to Israel and Palestine. Her collection, Sometimes We Do Things, celebrates a re-envisioning and celebration of Detroit. She is the co-editor of the anthology Strange Fruit: Poems on the Death Penalty. In addition, she runs a dog training program entitled “Compassionate Communication with Your Dog.” Visit her website: katiesarahzale.com
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