AN UNUSUAL KIND
OF THANKSGIVING POEM
November 28, 2024

Today is the day we give thanks.
But today as I rose
I was still feeling
somewhat shut down
from a situation last night
that was not anyone’s intentional slight,
but rather an oversight.

Earlier yesterday, the tent of my heart
had expanded incredibly
to include the entire universe,
glory unto glory!

For the first time ever an old friend and I,
 of “different spiritual persuasions”
were able to get beyond all separation
caused by our words and labels
and breathe the life-giving air
in that place of freedom.
Now that is truly
something to give thanks for!

Later, when the temporary “trauma” came,
I had to marvel at the way
 my tent shut down and seemed to become
suffocating metal in a matter of seconds,
as if the very stick upon which
the universe is propped had given way.

I timidly looked out
from my tiny perimeter of safety,
trying to summon
enough air to breathe.

Before very long, fortunately,
the oversight was corrected,
and I noticed “normality” returning—
there again seemed to be plenty of air.

This morning I’m still needing
a bit of protection,
but here in the safety of our home
I can look at “my” life
and its patchwork quilt
of light and dark squares,
remember when many
of the light ones were still dark,
and anticipate the lighting of many more.

This is not likely the last time
my tent will fall in on me,
but I must continue to take the risk
of stretching, of opening.

It’s natural, though, to do so.
The all-containing Heart
is the reason for being.
LOVE is the sane universe,
The struggle to keep expanding
is worth any price.
;