Bridges

We are not as near each other as we would like to imagine. Words create bridges between us. Without them we would be lost islands. Affection, recognition and understanding travel across these fragile bridges and enable us to discover each other and awaken friendship and intimacy. Words are never just words. The range and depth of a person's soul is inevitably revealed in the quality of the words used. When chosen with reverence and care, words not only describe what they say but also suggest what can never be said.

                                                                        John O'Donohue,  Excerpt from BEAUTY

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It times of stress

whether that stress be societal (an election)

or personal (a loss, or other trials)

we are either drawn radically together

or we are driven apart

which one it is has, often, to do with our words

words are bridges

they are the fragile link (along with actions) between us

and over these bridges can pass many things

anger, hate, frustration, fear

love, acceptance, comfort

and yes, love

sometimes the waters between us are

roiled by many powerful things which threaten

to destroy the tenuous link we have forged

as hate and fear and distrust roar

as people (and webpages) with agendas that are often hidden and horrible

seek, literally to sow discord and anger

our connection to each other is threatened

when there is pain and sorrow

when there is loss an suffering

and bad thing happens

our connection to each other is threatened

Sometimes the bridges simple collapse, and all that is left between us is the churning rage 

Sometimes the bridges hold, the connection persists

And love, kindness, and compassion, still make their way between us

We need to take care of the bridge

Build it well, and strong

We need to have care, what passes across is

It is so easy to throw words on a computer screen

And send them flying through the internet

So easy to let words of anger and frustration flow forth

Toppling the bridges between us

And filling the space between

With dark and ugly things

Words are never just words

They are a caress

Or a slap

They build

Or destroy

I am not always careful with my words

Neither of some of those who speak to me

But in this dark time

While hatred, racism, and many other things

Flow around us, a flood

We need our bridges

We need love and compassion

We need each other