So I can’t save the world—
can’t save even myself,
can’t wrap my arms around
every frightened child, can’t
foster peace among nations,
can’t bring love to all who
feel unlovable.
So I practice opening my heart
right here in this room and being gentle
with my insufficiency. I practice
walking down the street heart first.
And if it is insufficient to share love,
I will practice loving anyway.
I want to converse about truth,
about trust. I want to invite compassion
into every interaction.
One willing heart can’t stop a war.
One willing heart can’t feed all the hungry.
And sometimes, daunted by a task too big,
I ask myself, What’s the use of trying?
But today, the invitation is clear:
to be ridiculously courageous in love.
To open the heart like a lilac in May,
knowing freeze is possible
and opening anyway.
To take love seriously.
To give love wildly.
To race up to the world
as if I were a puppy,
adoring and unjaded,
stumbling on my own exuberance.
To feel the shock of indifference,
of anger, of cruelty, of fear,
and stay open. To love as if it matters,
as if the world depends on it.
~
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What a beautiful poem…it made me cry. I cried because this is the way I’ve tried to live my life. Even as a child I always tried to do the right thing. I had great parents. They both had their own problems, but they raised 6 children; and I think we all turned out pretty good. I wish there was an easy answer to all the ills of the world. All we can do as individuals is to live our life as best we can. We are after all human; and have our own weaknesses. So do the best you can-:)
Thank you, Paul … we do the best we can ❤️❤️
Rosemerry always makes the day better
Awwwww, beautiful Donna!! YOU have that same talent/skill/gift!!!
Rosemerry, I used Because as a lectio Dino a last night at our contemplative Eucharist. A reader spoke it three times with a two minute silence between each presentation. Everyone appreciated your beautiful words. A poem for this day. Thank you.
Thank you, Ann, this makes me smile to know the poem was used this way … thank you!
Every time I read one of your poems I think, “This is the best one.” That is, until I read the next one. “Because”, though, remains in the Top Ten. Needed for such a time as this. Thank you!
Thank you! Thank you ❤️❤️❤️