Once I thought
Feelings weren’t for someone like me
Look for what others need, was how I felt
That one feeling allowed
Contentment - through connection to another
Put all the rest to sleep in the long grasses of fear
Who knows what messes they could make?
There were grief places that I buried
Longings to be seen and loved…just a little
To know who I was
What I thought about things, regardless of what others thought
I was sure these thoughts were not to be welcomed
They were shy and reticent
It would be good to keep them that way
Once in awhile one of these strangers would try to intrude
Into my peaceful, boxed life
But I knew just what to do
How to silence them before I even heard what they wanted to say
No, no, I would hush them
You mustn’t break through the wall
I’ve built to keep things going well
But one day, a very shy grief
Pushed her way past the other feelings
Right through the wall
Splashed right up inside of me
Like a stirring on the water
Moving to a silent song
I couldn’t help but like her and let her stay
I let her dance on the water of my soul
Bowing her head, she whispered, “There are other feelings”
I wondered about the others, “Were they as beautiful as she?”
Unlocked by the wondering
They came to her stirring water, shimmering in the sun
Dancing with the joy of telling me who I was
And I loved each one