To take root

With age comes the wisdom

to embrace life's joys

and to endure with grace…. sorrow.

For bitterness is a bitter fruit

that poisons everything,

making joy impossible to experience.

We choose,

though it can be a struggle

to the death

for hope to take root.

All souls bleed,

wounds hidden beneath our smiles,

no one is left innocent

from the wounding of evil,

yet we can heal one another

by allowing grace's calling

to enter out hearts.

Though the struggle will always

be intense, hidden,

and an often lonely road.

Compassion shown to others,

empathy felt through self knowledge

is how we companion one another,

allows us to reach out in acceptance,

understanding and love.