#MicroPoetry|November ’19 Reflections

I love the rainbow. On multiple levels, from the literal to the metaphorical, from the reflective to the mystical, it is an image that has always carried import for people, poets, seekers and those who grieve. It is also a word that can seem to overshadow all that it embraces. Love and anger, loss and joy, to name but a few. This verse attempts to play with this tension and remind us that in the midst of the life’s unfolding, a rainbow, somewhere, some when, holds us in its arch.

Growth is an interesting concept, especially when it comes to the spiritual journey. We can count a bank account through debits and credits. This is not, however, as easily measured in regard to the introspective and faith-filled work that helps us awaken to more than the material world that surrounds us. This poetic exploration recognises that this work, journey, is not always immediate, fast or even evident in its unfolding. But there it remains, quickly or slowly, and it is visible if we but take a moment to look for the work we have done as we encourage others.

We are indeed beauty bound to a creation that intends for us to shine. But this promise too often becomes obscured in couldn’t, can’t, impossible, too much, too far and too hard. These barriers keep us from realising that living into the potential we each possess is actually a journey of healing, of knitting together what too often is believed broken. This verse seeks to encourage us to not only embrace awakening, but to nurture that in others who may be hurting and suffering.

Life’s constant, if there is any one thing, is change. Life being not just ours, but this linear progression that all of Creation follows, nothing stays the same. We – people – might do all we can to ensure things seems immutable and unchangeable, but I have been in too many places in which death and life dance to make that illusion weak, at the least. This poetic musing plays with the possibility of hope by embracing change, as opposed to resisting it.

We, as a species, live in this constant tension between stability and chaos, safety and change. We long for the latter. In fact, we will do almost anything to keep things the way we like them. It makes sense, most living creatures want to expend as little energy as possible … but when we get to the point where we ignore that which is new or has already transformed, we miss new wonder, learning and opportunity. In the language of the mystic, transformation.

We are beautifully fashioned. We may make mistakes, stumble and sometimes stall. But within each of us is a mirror of Eternity’s radiance. This journey upon which we all walk invites us to awaken to the splendour we are – not for gratuity or ego, but to awaken to awe and wonder. This verse explores life’s journey as awakening to the possibility that we, each of us, is a precious piece of art that fills the gallery we call the universe.

I have shared this old teaching adage before, but I love it, so bear with me: “If you always do what you’re always done, you’re always gonna get what ya always got.”
That phrase captures the intent of this Verse. We can dream indeed and use our gift of imagination richly. And sometimes the way we think and the way we do things, might help translate that hope into something new. Often, however, if we do not shift how we think to parallel the dreams we have, those aspirations remain but dreams.

Fear: It’s an emotion that elicits many responses. It can embolden or paralyse. It can be seen as a deficit or an asset. In this musing, I am wondering about what it means when we embrace fear as a partner who helps reveal our own wisdom. Fear is a very real experience and what we do with it will always have implications in our and the lives of others.
What if, sometimes, we tried to harness it for our own growth?
What might that look like?