Sitting on my balcony,
I look into the dark city,
close my eyes,
and relax my shoulders.

I tell myself,
hold your head high.

Smile and breathe in
the vapor of your mint tea.

Keep your heart open,
and sing with the goldfinches.

Ignore the names:
  antisemitic,
  terrorist,
  Arab.

Look at your hands.
There is no blood.
Sing!