Happy Tuesday! I absolutely love this poem. Recently shared at our Generation Waking Up leadership training at UC Santa Cruz. Thank you, Aryeh, for your captivating words! ♥
and all life depends on it… by Aryeh Shell
Dear Ancestors, Earth and Future Ones,
my work, my words,
my actions, and
my dance
are no longer mine.
they are yours.
i am your vessel now.
use me until there is
nothing left
but bones
and
spirit.
let my hands be your hands.
let me see through your eyes.
let my lips and heart speak truth.
let my actions be forever
rooted in love.
We are all held,
We are always held,
We are in all ways held
by the web of life.
Isn’t that the most fabulous news you’ve heard all day?
The birds think so because
they can’t stop singing!
Let me say it again
in case you didn’t hear it the
first, second or third time around.
We are all held by the web of life.
We can never fall out
and so,
therefore
we must risk everything.
there is nothing to lose,
nor anything to gain.
but there is
everything
to love.
We are inextricably woven by threads of starlight.
Hand-spun like nobody’s business.
A business in which there is no profit to be made,
and no workers exploited
in the weaving.
The label on our back reads
“Made in the Milky Way.”
The new instructions say:
Hand wash only in the river of life.
Let hang dry under the light of the moon,
and if there is no moon,
then dance in the darkness.
Spin spirals around all your relations.
Whirl in prayer like a Sufi.
While you’re at it,
fling water droplets off your skin
in every direction.
Provide drink to those who are thirsty.
Dig deep
with your comrades
and become a well,
held in trust by the commons.
where all can be nourished and
all have a voice.
Fall softly to the earth like rain.
Sink down to your knees and let loose
your grief tears, your joy tears,
your i-don’t-know-who-i-am tears
so that each one can flow
like an ancient river and
give life to the ones who will follow.
It is time to know
who you are.
It is time to sing your song
as if all life depends on it.
Because, my friends,
the time has come.
And all life depends on it.
Mary Shindler Coaching 