we watch the news, we cannot breathe, we know

how many lives have been taken, how much of the earth seethes, how much danger seeps into the air.  We send prayers; we yearn for greater power.

My son arrived in the dark last night, and I take not an ounce of his presence, his safety, his right now for granted.  My students, on their own spring break, are now returning to Philadelphia from their travels all around the world—China, South Korea, the Philippines the high seas, the Cayman Islands, Mexico, San Francisco, Warsaw, Prague, Rome, some undisclosed nation in Europe.  I travel with them in my mind.  Send up more prayers. 

Keep them safe.