Embracing Vulnerability

EMBRACING VULNERABILITY

we live in a land of tall trees
with roads built into the sides of mountains
peering over the edge
we occasionally glimpse the spot seeds take root
they stretch and strain toward the heavens
bow and bend, paying homage to the wind
until they snap
explode
tops crash to the ground
done in by their own softness

what designer uses pine
to build a 100-foot skyscraper
perhaps prudent to send something harder up
able to withstand the pressure
let the soft ones keep their heads down
out of harm’s way
yet, the ponderosas protest
they’ve grown with a dream
reaching to kiss the sky
frolic with the wind

I tend to play it safe
tuck inside myself
hunker down to ride out storms
shield the underbelly from harm
these trees neither cower nor crouch
flaunting their towering majesty
they meet the wind nose to nose
relishing the dance
flexibility laced with strength
vulnerability pulsing with joy

11 January 2014