Originally published March 16, 2018. Audio and thematic drawing added 1/31/2021.
The original piece is below for reference, and can be found in its entirety at https://objectsanddistance.com/2018/03/16/even-evil/
I know you have seen them
In the corners
Of empty rooms
In the stillness that comes
Just after the calm
Watching
Listening
Waiting
They live
Within us as well
Demons
Vices
Afflictions
A culmination
Of poor decisions and circumstance
Evil
Defined by opposition
To that which we call
Good
We cast out
And punish
Witches
On burning bridges
We fear
The power they hold
The power
We do not understand
And rightfully so
But are we not aware
The power
Of our own weapons
Of love
Of forgiveness
And humility
Has this not been demonstrated
By nearly every figure
Who is still remembered
Long after their death?
I posit then
That we should seek
To use these weapons
To forgive
And hold close
That which threatens us
Even if that means
We are torn to shreds
By flailing claws
And teeth bared tight
Have we not all had
Moments of
Misfortune
Weakness
Failure
And did we not return to center
Not through the judgement of others
But through understanding
And a willingness to forgive
There is much in this world
That wishes to tear us apart
We have the choice
Of whether we follow suit
Or break free
And recognize
That even “evil”
Deserves to be given
A chance to be loved
Again
