night 177 into day 178

no rest for the weary…

sleep comes easy for the heartless who’ve sold their souls to hate
to those who relish cruelty while hoarding privilege, wealth, and treasure 
while the night hums with the prayers of souls, woke, who cling to hope for the dawn 

evil under cloak of night…

the lawless are positively giddy in the dark halls of power 
as they pull the plug on a dying nation’s life support 
people die everyday…they’ll get over it…we won

and yet…on a final glimmering note:

i watched a squirrel atop a birdfeeder sending bits of seed
to the waiting mouths of landfeeders: deer, turkeys, mourning doves 
even the smallest of creatures are capable of kindness

Even when I find myself exhausted from the troubling direction that the leaders of our country are taking us, the natural world draws me in to give me the assurance that everything is not lost. There is still order on the world. Night and day, the seasons, new life blooming and birthing all around me…and random fascinating acts of kindness from the smallest (my squirrel friend tossing seeds to those waiting below) to the tallest…the trees providing haven and shade on hot summer days. There is balance and a sort of routine to the natural ecosystem. Even nature’s predators are not being hateful when collecting their prey. It is survival…it is the cycle of life.

Humans, given our big brains, could learn a thing or two from the world around us. I try to focus on the things nature is trying to teach me, especially when the humans around me are acting badly. It’s tempting to retaliate, to have the upper hand, to win at all costs and then gloat over my rightness. I’m not always successful. Sometimes I get downright mad!

But at the end of the day those types of victories don’t fill me with happiness or contentment. Acts of kindness, a smile toward a stranger who receives it and smiles back, helping someone without them needing to ask, forgiving those who trample over me in word or action and hoping they might eventually figure out why they’re so angry that they have to hurt others. Hoping they find peace one day…maybe through kindness I can be a light. Those things give me peace…and a purpose, especially in times like this, when it’s easy to feel hopeless.

Much love, peace and glimmers to you…remember to be kind, let that light of yours shine. ✨✨✨💚✨✨✨

~kat

Poetry form: Sijo

A sijo is a traditional Korean poetic form, characterized by its three-line structure. Each line typically contains 14-16 syllables, resulting in a total of 44-46 syllables for the entire poem. The first line  is introduces a theme or situation, the second line develops it, and the third line introduces a twist or unexpected turn, providing the poem’s conclusion.