"Meet me in the softness" by Madelyn ilana

My heart wanted to share thisoriginal piece,

written the day before Thanksgiving, in my teacher's home, Janice Stieber-Rous ❤️

(After a big fight with my sister and the grief that ensued)

I want to meet you in the softness 

where neither of us are wrong 

where the sun sets 

a deep red 

behind the mangroves, 

and the dolphins 

are fishing for their final meal of the day 

while the hawk is watching 

from the top of the mast 

of the sailboat 

where the red candle burns 

and we’re learning 

about listening 

where we give thanks for all that we have

and all that we cherish

where my sadness 

is not a burden, 

It just is, 

and your anger 

has a space to breathe 

where my anger is not dangerous 

and your sadness is holy

and the dolphins are finishing 

their final meal of the day 

I can hear them exhale 

in the dusky water

And all of this softens into tenderness, 

where we can gaze into each other‘s eyes 

and see the purity there, 

seeing the innocence there 

seeing to the core 

of the essence 

of love 

and presence

Strip me down to the bone 

and show me my blindspots 

so that I know I am loved 

and I know that I am held 

in the image of 

the highest good 

of all beings

And the dolphins are finishing 

their final meal of the day 

and there is a glimmer of crimson 

floating above the palm trees 

while the hawk is watching 

from the top of the mast of the sailboat

I am in my teacher’s house 

what have I learned?

who am I really?

Strip me down to the bone 

so that I can see my blindspots 

and I’m asking for forgiveness 

and I’m asking for Grace 

and I’m asking for lightness 

so that we can find a new way forward 

so that we can find a new way home 

I’m not better than you 

And I’m not worse 

we just are 

as we are

and I’m sorry 

I’m sorry 

I’m sorry

🕯❤️🐬🦅🛥