Please be gentle

today,

i allow myself

to be fragile

i stop being the frantic current

always flowing outward

quenching every thirst

while my own lips crack

i settle—

still water in a deep well,

waiting for my reflection to appear,

resting in the unknown,

holding hands with needing

no sprint toward the future,

just sinking into a present

that asks nothing of me

but offers everything

i see a bumblebee,

busying itself with its buzzing

a small permission slip

to take the day off

and allow nature to work on my behalf

then a butterfly,

wings blue and yellow,

sunlight resting inside its flight

reminding me that even the sky

lies back sometimes

the tide is low,

even water rests

when it needs to

people on blankets

laugh easily,

letting the worries of yesterday

burn off like mist

i keep walking

at my favorite tree,

i stop,

press my palms to its bark,

feel the slow heartbeat of earth

the breeze is sweet,

like fresh sheets being softly pulled

from my naked skin at dawn

i breathe deeply,

taking in the seductive scent of now

my mind slows to a crawl,

my heart’s rhythm

a symphony of calm

angels hum in my ear

as i witness

the small, intangible moments

unfolding around me

the world is crumbling

fires of hate and division,

lies and scarcity

but here i am,

allowing myself to be fragile,

no longer pretending

strength is my only name

i deserve to be held with care,

as sacred as a secret between friends

i will break

if you drop me,

or squeeze me too tight

please—

be gentle

Written By: Tirzah Love