By Kayli Harley, TIWP Student
Open the windows of your
soul,
do not shy
away from the air out of
fear.
I have listened
to the
songs of the birds,
I have noticed
how the light
touches the grass and the trees;
I feel
how the earth is
calling out in beauty,
singing
in new color as it
finds its voice again,
dancing with
life
on new, stronger legs.
Yes,
there is fear in you,
but have you
seen
the fire beneath
the world?
Yes,
there is pain in you,
but have you
listened
to its hum, have you
noticed
how if you
stop
you can connect to it?
Yes, there is sorrow
and sickness
and struggles,
but,
it is rebirth
that follows burning;
it is growth
that follows rain.
Promise this world your love—
not selfishly
or with broken words
or with your fingers crossed behind your back.
Promise it your attention when it
dances,
when the light is
soft
and healing;
and when it opens its
heart to you
give thanks.
Promise this world your bravery.
Listen
when it speaks
to you.
You have a soul,
a spirit
capable of change
and compassion,
a spirit
of resilience;
promise the world
that you will show it.
Promise to stay
throughout the storm.
Promise to try;
to try
and
fly
even if
your wings are new
or old
or broken
or gone.
You owe the world your promise,
and you owe it to
yourself
to keep it.
We cannot
simply endure,
the world cannot
endure any longer what
it has, and
it’s not;
wake up
to its call.
Wake up
and see.
