Blending opposites

I love the way our ancient willow 

Frames our new little cherry tree 

As she boldly greets the spring. 

New and old, dark and light, 

Sturdy and delicate, pink and green — 

The blend of opposites is so inviting.

Limitations help us grow

What if we came to understand 

That our limitations and imperfections 

 And the obstacles we encounter 

Will actually be the making of us; 

That as we strive to overcome; 

To improve, to learn, and to outgrow 

Whatever holds us back, 

We are, in turn, becoming 

Who we were born to be 

And inspiring those around us 

To do the same?

When light spills in

In your darkest moments, 

May light and color spill in, 

However briefly, 

And illuminate once again 

All that is good, and true, 

 And beautiful in your life.

Joy in diversity

Look how joyful the colors are! 

How can we not see 

The pleasure diversity brings?

The power of light

Such is the power of light, 

That it can endow an old folding chair 

With an aura of beauty and mystery. 

How, then, can we justify 

Refraining from sharing 

The light each of us carries within us?

On the bright side

I’m trying hard to rise above 

 The concerns of the day 

But it’s a challenge, 

To keep looking on the bright side 

When the dark in both 

The foreground and the distance 

Looms so large..

A splendor of belonging

Though each of these differs from the others, 

They are all trees, and co-exist 

In a glorious splendor of belonging. 

Why is it that we find ourselves unable 

To find the same unity in diversity?