let’s go, darling

Sorry, but the house is on fire and there’s no time for kisses on the forehead.

There is no time, honey.

Grab your shoes, your papers, and let’s go.

We must practice our quickness.

I’m sorry to be so rough,

I’ll keep apologizing later.

Right now, there’s no time.

I’ve been where you are.

And now I’m strong enough to tell you:

you’re barely setting foot in the tightness of life,

you’re barely starting to see what so many have seen,

what others have learned to live through.

Wipe your tears.

Trust your mother raised you to know what’s right.

Talk to your heart.

Doubt,

and sure, doubt me.

But don’t ever doubt yourself.

Don’t doubt your divine eyes. your divine ears, your divine tongue.

Remember how goodness feels.

Remember its lightness.

And how there’s always someone,

something, you can spend your kindness on.

Rest your head and be a shoulder, too.

Stay open,

Feel the inevitable fear.

Then remember the kind King.

Remember you are, as he once said:

in ‘cosmic companionship’ with beings that’ve dreamt of this earth as whole for all.

Rest.

Do your damning, kicking and screaming.

Let it out.

Outrage is a natural reaction to injustice.

Then,

keep walking, keep crawling.

Keep love alive in each corner of your body.

Never hide your love.

Explore how you love.

And, when you go wrong, course-correct.

Then never feel shame for your softness and ability to explore beyond constraints.

Be your own deity.

Trust yourself and your kindness so thoroughly you become unshakable.

I’ll need you to believe for me when I forget.