Author: Elizabeth Maynard

Omar held my hand tonight
Arturo twirled
Tyler, Jonathan
Pete, Mateo
All of us here to be human
to remember what it was
to hold each other close

Today is the day to write
the poem about five deer
seen from the train
two fast friends embracing
after a long absence
the tears that leapt
to my eyes as I saw
each of you in this moment
for your joy
from my own longing

There is evil in the world
I have met it

The devil is not
as he is painted

But lives in distortion
corrupting every love

When we are afraid
and accept too little

It is so simple to spin myself up
fearful of all I can't name
harder to remember
the end of the story remains
whether I live frightened
or bravely
home is where I'm headed

The words and work
of a thousand days
lie ahead
lie behind
Here at the fulcrum
between was and will be
a breathless moment
silence so full

I passed them today
two by two
these mothers and sons
in the store
on the street
I wanted to pause
look each in the face
large and small
tell them to treasure this
put hurry and worry aside
stop and hold each other

This candle burned all day
offering gentle light
in an empty room
a resting place
sanctuary for those
who came to say
there is no more need
for tea or cakes
On this side we are fed
by the inexhaustible
One day you will follow
another gentle light
to the other side
and we will know you there

So this is happiness
round and glittering
in the light of
late afternoon
I thought I was too late
too broken
anxious and afraid
But here you are
carrying me gently
into the great heart
of this green earth

What words for a morning clouded
sky steel and azure
indifferent to my naming it?
Ahead is the life imagined
passion, friendship
and the long walk home

Meet me here
in this moment between breaths
the trembling silence after
the vast emptiness before
In truth
it is only that that reminds us
of our swift arc across the sky