Common Ground

the common thread that connects us all

is the earth on which we tread

the earth that nourishes our bodies

later laying claim to them

blanketing us all in her warmth

unable to distinguish race

income

sexuality

age

religion

or political position

she welcomes us

bringing us together

we are one

if only we had learned to live this way while our hearts were beating

and we could feel the warmth

 

understanding

as i walk through the forest i like to study the trees

some taken too soon

barely sprouted from the earth

others deeply rooted

having weathered many storms

more

tired

barely hanging on

as deep and threatening waters relentlessly break away the ground they were once firmly rooted in

others tenaciously take root in rocky crevices

almost nothing to nourish their growth

still they stand

defying expectation

unable to choose where they have taken root

unable to change their circumstances

they simply stand

when forested together they are better prepared to weather any storm

winds may bend them

but each one sturdily protects the others

and in turn is protected

simply

by being close.