The House of Love

The process of healing is not easy–I find poetry can help sometimes

you may not (yet) love the part of you
that is confused, angry
or feeling terribly
small

you may not (yet) love the mornings
you are wrapped in a fog
of paralyzing
indifference

you may not (yet) love the boulders
across what you thought
was finally
a path

in fact, I know you think you don’t
it’s an impossible task
to love what seems
so wrong

but each time you notice
the beating of your chest
the flushing of your face
the squeezing knot in your intestines

you have brought presence
which lives in the house of love

when you become aware
your flying words are determined
to defend or wound
and stop even some at the gates

you have brought patience
which lives in the house of love

when you step forward
through heavy air and
wondering if anything matters
and do one small thing you believe in

you have brought courage
which lives in the house of love

when you contemplate the obstruction
with particles of tenderness and wonder
pausing to ask what might this want
to teach me

you have brought curiosity
which lives in the house of love

I’ve learned these are loyal friends
who, even when banished
return at the slightest invitation
so much do they
love us
love light
love the world

and every time you welcome them
they in turn lure you
through the doors

and into
the house of love

~Ann Betz