Of all the things I’ve learned from rocks
the most useful may be never to underestimate
the power of a good tumble.
It doesn’t have to hurt. It might be loud
but it’s really more of a patient polish.
And sometimes you have to crack it open
completely to know its value
to see how it shines
to admire its design.
You might be surprised which ones hold heat
which ones reflect light
how many fall apart easily
at the first fall.
You may feel born again and swaddled
in celebration when
a stepping stone follows you
a doorstop opens gates
a boulder holds you
a worry stone reveals itself a gem.
There are those few you throw
into the waves, and they come back
to you sparkling anew
or you carry them with you
through the wild trash fires
and they re-emerge stronger
more beautiful, more attached to you, grateful you kept
choosing them
no matter what, because everything changes, even if just slightly,
though most things change dramatically.
When Kahlil said, “Work is love made visible,”
he meant that investment, time, and energy
are how we make it true.
