We are heartbroken at the loss of life and freedom in the Ukraine.  Both the Ukrainian people and, likely, most of the Russian people have had their interests betrayed by this continuing act of tyranny and war.  We pray for the people who are suffering and agree with others that prayers are not enough; we have been donating resources to action funds set up to help the refugees.  Please  send your good thoughts and prayers and any help you can.

This month’s poem was planned for today before the war happened.   In the wake of the war, we almost pulled it, but then decided it provides hope.  In honor of spring and of resolutions and rebirth, we offer Michael Gurian’s “Spring Reciprocity.”

 

Spring Reciprocity

 

All our lives

we carry life

on our bodies

 

hair bugs tears

we carry

our blood on our bodies

 

and the blood of others

like dusk clouds

that wane on our skin

 

we carry ash

from deaths

briefly on

 

our bodies

we carry

wet breath

 

of plants

and beetle

mosquito bee

 

sounds carry

on our bodies

even those unheard

 

and sweat

and perfume

and love

 

we carry love

and all stars

all Einstein’s physics

 

right there

in our bodies

all a constant

 

resurrection

all a spring’s

reciprocity

 

borrow

your body

from the world

 

let the world

borrow

it back

 

Copyright, Michael Gurian, 2022