Physics

If I was a physicist,

I would be the type 

of physicist

that trusts the math 

that shows the photon

moves left and right

simultaneously.

That is the type

of physicist 

I would be.

This means, 

I would also be 

the type 

of physicist 

that believes a photon 

moving into two places 

at once

is impossible, 

a lie:

ridiculoso.

That is the type

of physicist 

I would be.

This is one of my favorite silly poems because despite its simplicity, it sums me up. I have always been a both/and kind of human. For 2024 I hope to accept the unflinching necessity of holding conflicting ideas at the same time despite pushback from myself and others, I will try to be less reactive and more forgiving, and I will focus on kindness even as kindness seems a futile endeavor in the face of horror and pain humans consistently justify inflicting on each other. I am lucky and blessed with privilege that I have not earned, so I will stay in my lane, teaching and writing, in an attempt to be as authentic as possible. Additionally, I commit to radical listening, reading physical books, and dissecting my biases. This is not enough. I feel ridiculous making these resolutions as others suffer. This is enough. My intentions don’t end anyone’s suffering, but they are like smooth pebbles tossed in a pond or little glass bottles carrying love notes across oceans—tiny vibrational shifts for 2024.