DO NOT BE ASHAMED

of the sunrise that makes you cry

of the warmth you feel in your blood

when the clouds divide

themselves into sunlight

over the lake.  

Do not be ashamed of your heart 

and the way it breaks

in grief when you see the carnage

we cause in other countries

Do not be ashamed of the joy 

you feel at the skipping child's glee

or of the tantrums

you throw when life leaves you tired or stressed.

This is natural.

These are not things to cause you shame, Rather,

these are the vital signs of the living,

the green and brown and gold leaves

of your life,  the nails in the door of your days

that make you human

and ensure that are still feeling

in a world that scoffs at love and kindness of any hue.