Make peace with your despair

Make peace with your despair.
Don't make it stand in some dark corner;
invite it to your table.
Let it tell its story
in a room that's filled
with light and joy and friends,
and welcome its dark counterpoint to life.
Be tender with despair:
don't shut it out, but guide it gently
to a seat inside your tent:
massage its feet, wipe its sad eyes,
and let it rest on padded bolsters
of gratitude, hope, and love.