Give us strength

to hold our ground

in our hearts.

If ever there was

a need for such strength,

it is surely now.

Help us to remember

what it feels like

to listen

from this place —

to filter out

what is most true —

that we will

always find our way.

Amen

I began to listen

to the silence

and to the music

of life —

of notes and pauses —

finding refuge in

the silent spaces

and comfort in

words that flowed out

if I was patient

to wait my turn —

holding and letting go

ever so lightly —

in-between.