#MicroPoetry|February ’18 Reflections

We live in a world where we ascribe potency to the power of a bang. And though that is indeed one way to measure might, it seems to me that social change and political movements that have not utilised violence, but the awakening solidarity of people to one another, regardless of the divisions that we imagine separate us, is indeed a more powerful energy than physical force. This #Verse attempts to capture that in this.

This A Deacon’s Musing #Verse explores living in a climate in which “polar vortexes” are seemingly more and more common. When the temperature outside hovers below -24 Celsius for weeks, it can be easy to hunker down. But the one thing – in my climate context – that is simply remarkable is the light. In the prairies, even in the cold, the sun shines so brightly, almost lyrically. In this paradox of cold and light, this #MicroPoetry attempts to capture that.

I have always admired the flow of Judo & its intention to harness energy from the other as a way to both protect and also do no harm. This idea of dancing with fear strikes me as almost poetic and this #MicroPoetry attempts to explore fear as a partner, not an enemy. In that reframe, what might be discovered feels hopeful.

There is a consistent challenge inherent in most meditative and spiritual practices about recognizing and attempting to address the tension between the ego and the soul, the construct of who we say we are and what our true essence is. This challenge can take a lifetime to appreciate, need alone resolve. I wonder if this is another one of those learning that is more significant in the journey toward awakening, rather than the destination. This #Verse endeavours to express that spiritual tradition.

I admit that I was thinking about Valentines … not necessarily the commercialisation of the day, but the intention to celebrate ‘love.’ Often, we have a culturally romantic ideal of the emotion that seems – at times – saccharine? In this #Verse, therefore, I was hoping to connect love as more than an individual expression, but as a thing, an energy, an orientation that binds us all intimately together.

It is amazing the degree to which fear can paralyse, especially in the context of dreaming. This paralysis, in my experience, occurs when we feed fear, rather than harness it. Some might call this, from a spiritual practice vantage, seeing through fear. With such sight, it is possible to pivot and embrace the wisdom fear offers when we dream. This #Verse explores this both/and connexion between fear and dreaming.

I am always struck how we use language to create either/or options in respect to our emotional responses. I find this is a less than helpful tendency. When we are striving to thrive and move toward wholeness, the poles of our emotions can be helpful experiences upon which to reflect, in order to grow and learn. This #MicroPoetry endeavours to express through this emotional pair: fear & certainty.

I love that romantic image of a fireplace mantle dressed in the images of a life well-spent. Faces of children and partners, friends and memories capture a moment in time. Something to cherish and celebrate. I am also aware that those touchstones occur in the midst of the challenges that is the journey of our lives. This #Verse muses about the reality of abundance and gratitude while recognising that life is not always easy or simple.