Also Assemblage

An assortment of ands

Chaos and quiet
in this moment, in this place,
present side by side.

Silence is not ‘hush!’
Dialogue is not debate.
And both have their place.

Yes, welcome this, that.
Silence, music, and thunder.
Yes, light. Yes, shadows.

Bittersweet, and, both.
Chiaroscuro combo.
Ah, complexity!

And …

Ebbs, flows, spirals, loops.
Ups and downs, setbacks, detours.
It’s not linear, no.

It is it as is.
And it could be otherwise.
Present, potential.

In the deepest depths
there is darkness and danger.
Also, profound peace.

In the highest heights
there is coldness and harsh winds.
A glorious view too.

In grand depths and heights
there are risks and the unknown.
And closeness to truth?

As Well

So much suffering!
Harm, hurt, loss, grief, destruction.
Do we feel hopeless?

Lots of rejoicing!
Awe, joy, love, growth, resilience.
Can we be hopeful?

Also …

Tired, grief-struck some.
Others, ready for the kill.
We’re still tribal apes.

Hopeful, joining hands,
heads, hearts, for now and for next.
We’re also wise souls.

The soul is tender,
gentle, shy, soft, and also
tough and tenacious.

Soft belly, strong back.
Inhale, exhale, sigh, repeat,
until do meets be.

Additionally:

• Tools want work, also need rest.

• Chains enslave; also bring together, bind, unite, connect.

• Walls protect from the elements mercifully; also, separate beings mercilessly.

• We, the living, are also the dying.

• We inherit trouble, trauma, tragedy; also, resourcefulness, rebelliousness, resilience.

  

Aspirations

May we act with conviction, and with curiosity.
May conviction not overshadow curiosity, and may curiosity not undersell conviction.

May we live receptive, responsive,
attentive, aware, allowing, accepting, acting, and asking.

Askings

How to experience ease and equanimity, as well as effort and enthusiasm?
How to practice acceptance, as well as action?

How can we plan, prepare, manage,
and be available for spontaneity, synchronicity, serendipity?

How to bring our being to the awesome amazement of mystics,
and dedicate our doing to the wholesome work of civics?

Add-Ons

A couple more?

Also, short pondering in verse

Inside Outside, another brief verse

Both, a reflection activity

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