“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell” Matthew 10:28.
 
“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him” Job 13:15.
 
They are closing in; they are walking, 
     running, marching with sticks and 
          stones to break my bones. Maybe. At 
least all the images from January 6 
     tell me so, and the images are shown 
          over and over and over to impress upon 
me how tentative is my very existence. 
     And so what am I left to do? Barricade 
          inside? I’m almost there already thanks 
to the virus. Weaponize? Yeah, I know; 
     there are more accidental shootings from 
          guns on family than on feared invaders. 
Preciado cautions, ”Our disappearance, 
     though certain, is only relatively im-
          minent.” So, take it easy, breathe deeply 
and enjoy what time you have left and 
     even though being called names really 
          does hurt and sticks and stones may break 
bones, yet, will I trust my creator even 
     as I plead my case before that eternal 
          lover, the only one who could utterly 
obliterate me, but who I trust never would,
     so, if they come, open the door, take them 
          a plate of cookies, but be sure to wear a mask. 
No sense testing fate.