Article voiceover
The following is a poem that I’ve reworded a few times, and I like where it’s landed today. I hope you enjoy, and that it warms your heart like it’s warming mine. Click the triangle “play” button above to hear me narrate.
Love,
Jessie
Do You Get It? light doesn't exist without the dark present without the past don't be a fair-weather human, my friend if so, please have some tact choose Words like Medicine a tincture, concoction, a brew pouring Good in the world with Care and Heart (what's done with them is not up to you) offer Forgiveness and Understanding as readily as daily bread Compassion is easy (don't let it come back to bite ya!) maybe we'll learn this after we're dead? this sounds melodramatic, it a little bit is the point is unfolding slow-ly every part that's chosen to share with you is what you've been let to see the veil is lifted, Vulnerability shines revealing fangs on a shadowy night to See is a privilege, stand witness, be blinded look away, or shelter your eyes Truth burns brighter than opinion it can sting before we're ready so take your time getting close to the Light find balance, and remain steady when we weaponize "truth" and villainize "them" bringing torches & pitchforks to the gate everybody feels right, simultaneously wronged (slow down, don't react, just wait) "they" are all Earthlings, and so are you it's all our first time seeing this day meet everyone new, including you then figure out how to PLAY before lighting a fire to burn a bridge setting el puente en fuego from both sides look ahead to the world/(future) being set ablaze defending what Belief says is "Right" we can't always Know but be willing to Learn there's a lesson in every folly I wonder if the lesson is this: "Surrender, then go call Auntie Holly"
when taking Words as poison drinking in the pain there's no way to know which way it'll go (all's not lost if Learning is gained) or maybe not words, but fiery Action singed deep, leaving a mark in a blaze of fury what's done has now branded a scar on a crusty heart Now, please know this, though the stain remains burnt memory, an ashy scar a Healing Salve grows deep within (it's a heavy-lidded jar) Medicine's source is Peace within a storm cloud full of rain an Inundación of Redemption, Forgiveness, unburdening of pain the Cycle of Hurt as old as Time ends with each next step we take the breath, the word, a space to share then onward until next Time Let's soothe the burn, and scratch the itch help a restless mind find peace scar tissue is thick and less elastic Trust is an inflexibly simple beast the keloid that forms as time passes by may be thick or easily forgotten it may block the way that Heartsongs should Play protecting the delicacy and shame within once bitten, twice shy. Ten hut! En garde! this scar is life's reminder: return to Kindness, Compassion, and Love Be a Light, Shine a little Kinder if words got out that casted Doubt on Goodness, Compassion, and Heart it might make folks think all's Hopeless or Lost (and nobody wants that part) protect Peace which opens/un-closes seeks to find and understand are these words a Healing mix? a compost heap in our hands? try to Understand (or don't) what it means to Suffer less make each next choice with these words in mind: "am I living with 'no ragrets'?" (not even one letter) then do the next right thing, my friend ask for guidance when the path's unclear we learn, we grow, we Seek to know with thanks and hope for the year
Now, go grow something. Cultivate goodness in your heart, home, actions, community. In all the ways we can plant seeds of light and hope, what can we grow from the dark compost, from our own experiences? How can we grow goodness from it?
As we turn the year, I hope you feel well. Cared for. Embraced. Accepted. Loved.
Love,
Jessie