I wake early
to misty rain
on dark windows,
reluctantly arise,
craning my neck
to catch a glimpse
of pink sky.
Yes!
I’ll venture out!
I take the solitary path
towards churning waters,
pausing to gaze
at mystical fog
dangling
above green prairie grasses.
My feet hit sand
and WOW!
Purply bands of light
hover
over choppy lake.
The colors deepen,
and I know
sunrise won’t be visible.
Then, there is it,
arising
above rough waves!
I’m stunned
by the tears
arising in me.
Tears of joy
as I behold
such beauty.
I walk north
on wet stones,
trying not to see
a long stringed balloon
a plastic gas container and
other random debris,
keeping my focus
on collectible rocks.
Eventually, I look up
to an ugly power plant
spewing gray smoke.
Shouldn’t the tears come now,
tears of sadness
over the harm,
we’re inflicting
on our planet?
If I took it all in
with eyes wide open
how would I live
with all the sadness and devastation?
How would I live
with all the joy and beauty?
Am I being invited
to behold?
Behold
the pink sky.
Behold
the mystical fog.
Behold
the green grasses.
Behold
the stunning sunrise.
Behold
the rocky beach.
Behold
the joy in me.
Am I being invited
to be held?
Be held
while clearly seeing
an ugly power plant.
Be held
while clearly seeing
gray smog.
Be held
while clearly seeing
a long stringed balloon.
Be held
while clearly seeing
a plastic gas container.
Be held
while clearly seeing
random beach debris.
Be held
while deeply feeling
the sadness in me.
Would beholding and
being held
help
with my own healing
and energize me
to action?
To pick up trash.
To share reflections with others.
To advocate for all of creation.
To stay hopeful about humanity.
Behold.
Be held.
Be healed.
Be energized.
Be hopeful.
How else can we live?
How are you living in these dark times? What are you beholding? How are you being held? What is energizing you to take action? What is giving you hope?
Copyright (c) 2025, Bridget Purdome, ThePearlDivers.com. All rights reserved.