Pause to Grieve

By LaUra Schmidt

“There must be those among whom we can sit down and weep and still be counted as warriors.” ―Adrienne Rich

Our bones know
we can do it differently.
The DNA of our ancestors echo through us.

Our loneliness screams
we belong to each other.
We are wired for connection.

Our spirits feel
boxed in by the deadly worldview.
Culture change starts from within.

Our hearts see
the ongoing harm, destruction, and losses.
“Bearing witness is not a passive act.”**

Tomorrow,
we will help with the transformation.
We are ready for new and ancient ways of being.

But today,
we will pause and grieve.
Our tear drops regenerate scorched Earth.

** Quote from activist, conservationist, and writer Terry Tempest Williams.