This Poem

Welcome to Shabbat Awakenings, a weekly reflection as we move toward Shabbat. You can listen to it as a podcast HERE.

There have been certain moments in my life when this poem by Mark Nepo has provided me with solace and inspiration.

When my father died 21 years ago, I turned to the first sentence and felt comforted.  Shivah teaches this.

Still it is next to impossible
to do this alone.

Twenty years ago, when I survived cancer, I came to understand that others had stories and experiences to share that helped me understand my own path to healing.

We need the loving truth of others to be well.

And now, with this pandemic rolling across our lives and taking innocent souls with it like a huge tsunami, it feels like a crisis on so many levels: personally, politically, communally, and professionally.  And yet, the idea of transformation accompanies it, almost as a proactive response offered as an opportunity.

Inevitably, when one is thrust into life,
Into crisis, into transformation
Without notice or instruction

Oh, the reactions of humanity!

Some come with us
and are forever changed
while others watch as we are forced out to sea.

I used to think that it had to be the initiation of others to demonstrate their willingness to accompany us in our travails.  Now, I believe that each of us must take the initiative to invite others into the troubles of our souls.  How will they know if we don’t share our sorrows?

It is the power of love
that enables those who come along
and in truth,
a language of experience is unearthed
that cannot be translated
to those who stay behind.

Shabbat Shalom!

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