filter

filter your worldview through empathy

cushion your reactions through compassion

pause before assigning blame or judgement

to ask yourself how much you truly know

headlong into hellfire

gentle souls conquer without winning

testing further their compassion

toward their tormentors

deepening their humbleness

but heaping coals of fire on the heads

of those diving into the hellfire

of bitter littleness and loss

foundation of value

self-worth, knowing i am loved

that is what i work to have all children

take within themselves to enable each

to respect self and those other uncertain beings struggling to find place in

the enormity of unsure relationships

and hints of danger

to have strength of foundation

to be able to respect us all and see

fellow humans with caring

and compassion

grandma of great fortune

woman of courage completing her master’s

young women of solid accomplishment finding their feet and quiet strength

these are my granddaughters

fun musician graduating high school

caring college student working from and for home

brilliant young rebel honored by university for fighting for justice

firstborn of my grandsons taking on love and life with compassion and joy

these seven of my great fortune

red sky in the morning

smoky red sky to the northeast

as though the mighty Columbia were hosting wildfires

but it is only – i hope – dawn

we’ve had fire near often enough in the past few years

to be wary of more and compassionate

towards all who suffer terror and loss and fire danger

slow response

over many years

i’ve learned – most times –

not to react in anger

but to respect

my body

and soul’s reaction

and wait until my head

truly tempers my emotions

only then can i speak or

write with kindness

compassion takes a bit longer

after hearing Billie Holiday

fear and anger gnaw

what might grow compassionate

yield instead strange fruit