Stand tall proud
back straight
take deep breaths
feel the energy from the earth
rising into you
feet strong
planted
growing into yourself
someone new every day
yet at the core the same
when times, circumstances change
when the road gets bumpy
be brave
pull on the strength of your own experience
of the women who have gone before
a long line of mothers
raising children
nurturing homes
loving husbands, partners
building their own work, contributions
a long line of mothers
being brave
I think back
on all the strength
the joyous living
even emerging from sorrows
from struggles
be brave
for they all were
and you can be too.
Be brave
in the face of trouble
when it comes knocking and it will
open the door, step out, face it
sometimes it’s inside
sometimes it’s a person,
a circumstance, a new job, a divorce
the loss of a loved one
the grief so deep, so searing
that there is no way to breathe
and the tears have been wrenched from you
even then be brave
like the alpine flowers
blooming on rock, in crevices
high places, dry places
be brave and you will bloom
be brave in quiet ways
we are not always warriors
flashing spears, shining armor
the sounds clashing
sometimes we are brave
in our heart
in our action
reaching out for a hug
or picking yourself up
rising from bed when sleep or grief
calls you back
putting flowers in a vase
feeding a young child
sitting silent
letting the emotions come
facing what is inside
the snarling beasts, the fears, the worries
and so we are brave in quiet ways.
Sometimes bravery is loud
uproarious
laughter
saying just what you mean
to the person you love
or to the people who need
to hear
that something needs to change
a voice in protest
righting a wrong
speaking for those who have no voice
standing in solidarity with
those that want, that need
that struggle
speaking our truth
being brave out loud.
We are all brave
even when we don’t know
when we feel lost, confused, alone
sadness, fear grip our souls
we are still brave
deep down inside
we need only to sit, to listen
for the voice of bravery
rises up
call forth the bravery of our ancestors
the bravery of our own acts
a source of strength
always present
hear it in the steady rhythm of the waves
in the chirping of the birds
in the rustling of the trees in the wind
see it in the rising sun
the blue sky
the grey clouds emerging
even in the rain or snow that falls
crystals, drops of jeweled water
feeding earth and soul
feel it in a friend’s hug
see it in their smile
hear it in their words
hello how are you
words of care
in all these things
we find our bravery
tying together the pieces
creating a strength
fueling a vision, a goal, a dream
with all these
we walk forward
into each new day
be brave.