NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR

This is a place for my poetry to live outside of my journals. Writing is a way for me to work out the absurdity, sorrow, joy, injustice, and goodness that I experience and observe in this life. I hope that those who read my poetry find solace and language for those feelings that are not readily definable. Both writing and reading give us a pathway to slow down, may we embrace words like they are deep inhales and find new breath to continue living with vitality.

Thank you for reading,
Elisabeth

“Yes, it is true. I confess,
I have thought great thoughts,
and sung great songs—all of it
rehearsal for the majesty
of being held.

The dream is awakened
when thinking I love you
and life begins
when saying I love you
and joy moves like blood
when embracing others with love.

My efforts now turn
from trying to outrun suffering
to accepting love wherever
I can find it.

Stripped of causes and plans
and things to strive for,
I have discovered everything
I could need or ask for
is right here—
in flawed abundance.

We cannot eliminate hunger,
but we can feed each other.
We cannot eliminate loneliness,
but we can hold each other.
We cannot eliminate pain,
but we can live a life
of compassion.

Ultimately,
we are small living things
awakened in the stream,
not gods who carve out rivers.

Like human fish,
we are asked to experience
meaning in the life that moves
through the gill of our heart.

There is nothing to do
and nowhere to go.
Accepting this,
we can do everything
and go anywhere.”

Mark Nepo