Things fall apart

What we do accumulates

“Now is the only time. How we relate to it creates the future.

“In other words, if we're going to be more cheerful in the future, it's because of our aspiration and exertion to be cheerful in the present.

“What we do accumulates; the future is the result of what we do right now.”

― Pema Chödrön
When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times

---

Inside my body, right below the surface
I am grated, tingling, raw.
Fear wants me to go with him, wants me 
to lay back on the current and float away.

I know this valley. I'm made of 
this river's blood. I know how long it takes 
for the sun to touch the floor. 
Boulders get mossy and forget.

Aren't I your LEGO girl with strip mall hopes, 
and thermo-polymer dreams? Don't worry babe! 
I'm made for this mess, with my 
interlocking spirit, this perma-grin!

I shrieked no and he heard. But
that's the way it goes. Anyway
I'm built soft for impact. I'm padded to take the hit. So 
I just keep on undoing what has always been done.

---

Day 18 of 30 Days of Poetry, Autumn 2024

The word for today’s poem was “no,” given to me by Caroline Winschel.

We are billions of beautiful hearts, and you sold us down the river too far. - Pink