Sometimes on Mondays . . . we need reminding.

Especially after a really horrible news-weekend (following, of course, months of horrible news-days) we need . . .
a reminder of our humanness;
a reminder to stay soft in this world of hardness;
a reminder to breathe, and to allow ourselves rest.

Earlier this year – back in February sometime – I came across this poem by James Crews and I copied it down in my journal. Every once in a while, whenever I need a reminder-boost, I go back and re-read it.

I thought it might be a good one to share here today. On a Monday. To get us started on this new week.

Stay Open
by James Crews

Watching the news, I start to believe
the world wants me closed tight
as a fist, only able to batter and
pound and destroy. But some wiser
voice inside tells me to be more
crocus, more tulip, more peony —
staying open to days of sun and rain,
and even the shock of pelting sleet,
which must eventually melt into
the ground, touching each tender root
with no small amount of surprise —
that something once so hard, so cold,
could soften enough to nourish and flow.

Stay open, my friends.
In this hard world, remember our softness.
Remember our humanness.