For every dogmatic schism, condition, and splintered group, the way to higher love experienced a fracture of seismic proportions.
Reality is like recovering after the quake...
If-
We did not linger
Like unsavory water stagnation
Drinking in what divides...
And...
Focused instead,
On mutual commonalities
Like trees exhaling air
Giving us life
We would see the end
Of hate dividing folly
Incited by few..
On us
the many
One Love.
One planet.
One environment.
© higher love • lbaccus july 23, 2019
(Published on X March 13, 2025 | baccusbee)
(Words for both poems are mine. Images created with starryai, a collaborative process called synthography.)
I wrote the above poem in 2019. Re-reading it for edits preparing to publish gave me chills. I still believe it and stand behind it. I've been following Alex Pretti's story and I feel like I'm at a loss for words. Even though I penned the verse below in Memoriam.
In my voting history, I've voted all over the ballot. If you need a color it's purple, a combination of red and blue mixed together. I've been a registered democrat, republican, and libertarian.
Independent is where I've settled and where I'll stay.
There is no defense of the indefensible.
Just look at us.
My grandfather, father, and brother served in the military. My mother spent her nursing career caring for disabled veterans until her retirement. Veterans have a special place in my heart. They give so much. What is given to them in return?
I'm not onboard with defunding law enforcement either. They put a lot on the line, protecting and serving society. They are mothers and fathers, raising families, like me and you.
It was hard for me to determine what happened with Renee Good, the poet that lost her life during a conflict with an ICE Agent. I watched that video several times too. To me, it looked like two human beings were caught up in a highly emotional moment leading to a tragic outcome. One person in this situation, like Alex's, should have been trained to observe and follow de-escalation protocols.
As far as I can tell, I wasn't there and talking heads each have different talking points.
May she and Alex rest in peace.
Renee and Alex should still be alive.
I've also watched videos of Alex Pretti repeatedly:
- He is sprayed with pepper spray.
- He helps, or tries to help a woman up that was shoved to the ground.
- All while agents continue agresssion towards him.
- I saw a cell phone in one of his hands.
- I saw nothing in his other hand.
If there was aggression going on from Alex's part (people who know him are reporting that is uncharacteristic of him), in the video it appears he has been subdued- he was face down. It's also confirmed he carried a gun, for which he had the necessary paperwork for lawful carry.
He was there exercising his right to peaceful assembly in protest, granted by the Constitution.
News outlets confirm he was shot in the back. Which seems to conflict with the limited understanding I have about de-escalation protocols.
Since I wasn't there, all I have to go on is what is released to the public. I'm praying a full and fair investigation occurs.
Whether you are of the same political party Alex was or not doesn't even matter.
I don't even know his affiliation.
What matters is he was using the same rights granted by the Constitution that everyone has, regardless of party affiliation.
For this reason, everyone should be concerned about what happened to Alex Pretti.
I didn't know Alex Pretti personally. I'm so sorry for his loss. He leaves behind grieving family members and friends. I'm so sorry they have to see him done this way in the media during their time of mourning. I'm saying prayers for them, may they be comforted during this difficult time.
please don't be petty
about Alex Pretti
caretaker of veterans
mentor of nurses
videos on replay
i've watched them on loop
see a man helping a woman up
continued assault
pepper spray
most reading this weren't there
i wasn't either
even more aren't waiting
for facts to emerge
slinging false accusation
i'm not one to comment
on what i can't verify
however,
it's known
baneful wounds
inflicted from behind
fell him down
doesn't sound
like he was a threat
dear reader,
haven't you seen yet?
this isn't partisan divide
if you're still pandering
lock step left or right
you've overslept
already behind
Pray for Alex and Renee's families.
Thank you for reading this far.
baccus bee
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