The Journey Inward

Today I plant my sorrow,
In a tightly bound seed, 
Soft within, cased in a hard, brittle shell,
Balancing it gingerly in my palm,
Clasping my fingers around it,
Holding it close one last time.
This grief has been my companion for a lifetime,
And a part of me can't bear to part with it.

I hoe the soil, removing the weeds of fear and falseness,
Loosening the ground to prepare its acceptance of my pain.
I blend a mix of recognition, love and hope,
To create the perfect medium for growth, one full of rich nutrients,
I mulch the spot organically with trust, patience, and high esteem,
Providing a layer of protection for this vulnerable seed.

I gently place the seed down into the hole I've dug for it,
Not to banish it, hide it or forget it,
But to allow transformation into its full promise.

And now I let it be-
Trusting that the healing warmth of the Sun,
The cleansing wash of the Rain,
And the life giving force of the Air,
Will coax this seed to expand,
And press against its captor,
Until it bursts forth, afraid and excited,
Sending roots down for stability and nourishment,
And a shoot up to look about for other like minded souls,
Those seeking freedom, wholeness and connection.

In time, the new plant will rise from the ground with hope,
Wiser from past experiences of sorrow,
Lighter from its time of rest and dormancy,
And it will unfurl its leaves to gather fuel for growth,
And it will deepen its roots to gain sustenance for trying times,
And it will open its bloom to show what was always within,
The color, depth, and texture that is uniquely its own.

It will be spectacular, though not all will notice it,
And some who do, won't be drawn to it,
But I will be waiting and watching,
Believing in its appearance,
Prepared to have it take my breath away.

I will see its beauty and strength,
I will see it, know it, yet it will be new to me.

I will let it be,
And watch in awe at its resilience,
How it stands tall despite the summer storms and wicked winds,
For they are an inevitable part of the cycle, too,
And will serve to thicken the stem,
And elongate the root.

My sorrow will be transformed,
And my heart will expand with healing.

Photo:  Shenandoah Valley, VA.  7.3.20 by JMR