Recovery

We mistake but we recover

We live and learn and

hurt and struggle

We create and destroy

Create and destroy

Search and destroy

Are created and destroyed

With the cuts and scars and the bruises

                the backhanded compliments,

                the absent presence

of each passing moment

of each day, of each love

We strive

We stumble and

We recover,

Indefatigably

We are continually inspired and

continually traumatized

Torn down,

Built-up

By the world and

By our images of others

as much as

                of others themselves

                those we love,

                       With all of the fibers of our being,

                                With every artery and vein coursing warm blood

                                         Every sinuous connective issue,

Worn down by the grinding of the machine

Of

                those we cannot stand

(A difference that makes a difference?)

We live in defiant testament to the

                Overwhelming

Forces that envelope us,

         have enveloped us

                 will envelope us

Edifying always, annihilating always

Like water on the falls

Each moment

With each touch

Each sucker punch

Resist worry, resist hate,

Resist always

 your body’s

urging 

     to fear

to seek out something, seek out someone
to blame,
for the pain of the world, 

            scapegoated

to give in

to give up

                (Blockade always, others from the sting)

Of what will sting,

This is part and parcel,

This is the road,

This is it

Embrace the joys, 

      discard the pains

The infinite fleetingness of the

always present

Remember always

Overcome, overcome

                If something deep within you

Cannot allow the inhabitation

          of the present

Of the now, then the almost-here may

                Clothe and comfort you as a warm friend,

As family you haven’t seen since when

                Or may ignite you to something

Un-seen

Our senses may betray us,

                Our last lines of defense

But we always meet and overcome
      meet and overcome

It is in our very nature,

                Something primal

                Something deep within us

     That no scalpel can remove

We, us

                We must live,

                We must strive

                We must be