On Edge

It's hard to be gentle these days.

Hearts sit anxious,
angry, weary.
Not many stretches of peace.

“Seek Peace."
Our feet hit the floor.

We start the battle,
to hold onto it;
To mend bridges broken
in moments of rash thought,
run away with words and

All calamity,
All misunderstandings,
All hang ups
and heads hung low.

This is hard ground
in which to grow
such an attitude,
such a practice.

The real challenge with gentleness
is that it's active,
intentional, measured;
tailored to each new moment.

You can't be gentle
if you aren't paying attention.

It takes a pause of breath,
a centering of your beating heart;
Some mined wisdom
to wield the soft, strong thing.

It's only brought forth
by knowing that
even if unmirrored…

You are safe,
You are whole,
just by right of being God-made;
A creature with divine peace
seeded deep inside your soul.

Gentleness is strength
wrapped in mercy;
A bridled truth and love.

It's the silent knowing,
saying and reminding,
that this is the path
by which we become known again.

It’s a death that brings new life.

Die that death each day,
and we will live again.

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© Savannah Smiley Sterrett 2021