fear

be not afraid of fear

while you are here

it is as natural 

as the rain

and snow

sometimes it seems like we are

caught in a surprise rainstorm

in the middle of a bright blue sunny sky

it suddenly changes

the fog starts to roll in while our attention 

is  somewhere else for a moment

the sky turns a dark gray

and clouds appear pregnant and full,

ready to burst

fear not

the temperature  can drop just as suddenly

where a minute ago our heart was warm and open

now there is some kind of freeze

each crystal that forms starts to block the flow

until perhaps only a trickle remains

hidden under the ice

fear not

this will happen

fear not the dark stormy nights

fear not the subzero temperatures

fear not the illusion that no flowers exist

and that warm summer days are gone forever

we do not fear this 

nor do we run

and hide out under the covers

like a child

we watch thru the window

the approaching storm

we watch the patterns trickle on the glass

we feel the thunder shake the ground we stand on

we might even jump at the loud cracking sound

but we always know

it is just a storm

just a passing storm

there is never for a moment

a fear that this will not end

and that the Sun will not return

we might even grab our Mother's leg

or hide under the bed for a while

but like a child we will

run again out into the yard

we will splash in the puddles

squish our toes in the mud

look at the earthworms laying on the sidewalk

see how green everything looks after the rain

and learn that everything is now more beautiful 

than it ever seemed before

the rain washes us clean

the rain is a sign there is healing going on

we let the clouds pour out/expose our guilt

so the sun can shine once more

we remember 

there is nothing to fear

and we give thanks for this light on the storm,

Love,

J