Sometimes when I wake before dawn
I slip out of bed and go to empty my bladder
Because I am of a certain age
Then I slip back in between the still-warm sheets
pulling the covers over me
snuggling down
and withdraw from my memory bank images
inspecting and polishing them one by one
that golden hour she smiled at me
the magical moment I received his support
that exact instant they were kind to me, for no reason at all
each time you saw the essence of me, there have been more than one
It is surely a gift, amidst all the noise and haste, to be honored in such a way
I buff each memory until it shines
This emerald, that diamond, and Oh! a ruby.
Burnishing them like precious metal
I feel myself warmed by their presence,
Invisible yet real.
Our ancestors ran from dire wolves, sabretooth cats and mammoth snakes
Fear ignited their escape
It took everything they had to survive
Sinewy muscles taut, hearts pumping, bodies tense and vigilant
Until they were safe
We carry that echo hardwired in our bodies
Encoded in our cells and neurochemistry
A protective inheritance from our forbears
Which is why fear and anxiety sometimes overtake us so easily
Whereas
Beauty, encouragement, compassion, awe,
These life-enhancing gifts
Were not essential in preserving it.
Which is why we must savor, Friend,
And give away gladly
Our treasure and our fulfillment
Gleaming gemstones set in finest gold
A smile, support, kindness, being seen
And belonging in our laughter
Oct 29, 2022
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