The Journey Inward

Grief for what we've lost,
fear for what we have,
crushing, heavy, heart breaking,
how do we find hope?

Brittney Cooper and Rebecca Traister
give me some light,
saying that these times aren't unprecedented,
we have been here before,
and we have endured,
moving forward slowly, achingly.

And so we must use what we have learned
to accept the defeat
and keep going.

We must release our rage, anger,
hurt, pain, fear, worry, frustration,
indignation, resentment, disappointment,
judgement and disbelief,
and keep connecting.

Connecting in all our circles,
and outside them,
talking, sharing, feeling, venting,
listening, helping, showing up,
staying aware and engaged,
speaking up, speaking out,
looking after one another, 
as we find our way.

I am afraid.
I cry daily,
filled with fear,
for all of us,
the marginalized especially,
my friends who are gay, lesbian,
trans, non-binary, brown, black,
divorced, pregnant, 
wanting to start a family,
not wanting to start a family,
women, uneducated,
illegal immigrants, and more.
I am afraid.

But I search for hope daily.

Photo:  Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA.  1.11.25 by LA