In the closing of my recent experience at the Center for Whole Communities, this poem was shared as an offering in gratitude to the land, to one another and to the journey of impacting positive change. To me, it\u2019s a reminder of the power and beauty in being exactly who we are.<\/p>\n
BEING HUMAN<\/b><\/p>\n
by Naima Penniman<\/b><\/p>\n
I wonder if the sun debates dawn
\nsome mornings
\nnot wanting to rise
\nout of bed
\nfrom under the down-feather horizon<\/p>\n
If the sky grows tired
\nof being everywhere at once
\nadapting to the mood swings of the weather<\/p>\n
If the clouds drift off
\ntrying to hold themselves together
\nmake deals with gravity
\nto loiter a little longer<\/p>\n
I wonder if rain is scared
\nof falling
\nif it has trouble letting go<\/p>\n
If snow flakes get sick
\nof being perfect all the time
\neach one trying to be one-of-a-kind<\/p>\n
I wonder if stars wish
\nupon themselves before the die
\nif they need to teach their young to shine<\/p>\n
I wonder if shadows long
\nto once feel the sun
\nif they get lost in the shuffle
\nnot knowing where they\u2019re from<\/p>\n
I wonder if sunrise and sunset
\nrespect each other
\neven though they\u2019ve never met<\/p>\n
If volcanoes get stressed
\nIf storms have regrets
\nIf compost believes in life after death<\/p>\n
I wonder if breath ever thinks
\nabout suicide
\nI wonder if the wind just wants to sit
\nstill sometimes
\nand watch the world pass by<\/p>\n
If smoke was born knowing how to rise
\nIf rainbows get shy back stage
\nnot sure if their colors match right<\/p>\n
I wonder if lightning sets an alarm clock
\nto know when to crack
\nIf rivers ever stop
\nand think of turning back<\/p>\n
If streams meet the wrong sea
\nand their whole lives run off-track
\nI wonder if the snow wants to be black<\/p>\n
If the soil thinks she\u2019s too dark
\nIf butterflies want to cover up their marks
\nIf rocks are self-conscious of their weight
\nIf mountains are insecure of their strength<\/p>\n
I wonder if waves get discouraged
\ncrawling up the sand
\nonly to be pulled back again
\nto where they began<\/p>\n
I wonder if land feels stepped upon
\nIf sand feels insignificant
\nIf trees need to question their lovers
\nto know where they stand<\/p>\n
If branches waver in the crossroads
\nunsure of which way to grow
\nIf the leaves understand they\u2019re replaceable
\nand still dance when the wind blows<\/p>\n
I wonder where the moon goes
\nwhen she is hiding
\nI want to find her there
\nand watch the ocean
\nspin from a distance
\nListen to her
\nstir in her sleep<\/p>\n