The Gift

I leaned today against a tree and watched

as those around me

drank of water falling from the sky.

How easy it seemed for these beings to accept,

to open their hearts; to surrender

to that beyond their control. To say:

I cannot do it alone, I need your help.

I leaned against the fir, my mind far from clear.

I, too, wanted to drink of the well, yet

my mouth remained parched as my shoulders grew wet.

I leaned against her roughened skin.

Wanting. Desperately wanting;
demanding in my need.

I leaned against her heart, tired; at last, defenseless.

There was nothing left. I lay down with the dead leaves and broken twigs

the damp earth on my cheek and let go

       and drank of the sweet moisture seeping into my soul.

Under Pressure

Before reading on, I encourage you to listen to this poignant and ever so relevant soundtrack by David Bowie and Freddy Mercury, UnderPressure. Listen to the words especially the last two verses.

Insanity laughs under pressure we're cracking
Can't we give ourselves one more chance?
Why can't we give love that one more chance?
Why can't we give love, give love, give love, give love, give love, give love, give love, give love?..

'Cause love's such an old-fashioned word
And love dares you to care for
The people on the edge of the night
And love dares you to change our way of
Caring about ourselves
This is our last dance
This is our last dance
This is ourselves
Under pressure
Under pressure
Pressure

As we send our thoughts, as we pray and try to shine a light of hope on those who are suffering in Paris… let us also send some of that love to those that caused the pain. Only fear can cause such misery: the fear of difference; the fear of alienation, of poverty and hopelessness. 

Waging war has never stopped terrorism. As Bowie and Mercury sing: love dares you to care for the people on the edge of the night and love dares you to change our way of caring for ourselves…

Let this not be our last dance.

A Meditation

 
My feet touch yours

soul to soul, heel to heel, the toes
dancing a rhythm.
I am not alone.

My back rests against 

the back that rests against me,

there is no mine

there is no yours

our spines aligned. 

There is no other.

I look into your eyes as we stand

toe to toe, palms lightly clasped as
our bellies embrace.
I am safe.

I reach up and know you are beside me, raising your arms as I raise my own and then, there are hands again, fingers tips reaching down for mine, touching, connecting; joining together. 
I smile as one.