In praise of praise

Yes, even now,
when so much is broken:
Praise tears that will not
be held back, witness to
the immeasurable beauty
of the smile of a 6-year-old
gunned down by those
who praise nothing.

Yes, even now,
when so much is at risk:
Praise the blood that pulses its
systole and diastole rhythm,
dancing to and from the heart,
even when the sky is smoke
and our masks have become
an ordinary necessity.

Yes, even now,
when so much is struggle:
Praise bodies that sweat and tremble,
muscles tense with
embodied comprehension
that we are headed the wrong way,
and the irresistible urge to change direction,
a glorious, clumsy, prodigal return.

Yes, especially now,
when so much is at stake:
Praise something, anything,
so alive and extravagant
that it awakens and calls
you to discard despair,
abandon apathy and
praise whatever brings you
back to life.

Excerpted with permission from Breaking and Blessing: Meditations by Sean Parker Dennison (Skinner House, 2020).