Foraged Feelings: Curating Courage

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Sometimes, something isn't for long-form writing. Moments and memories. The unspoken stories. Fragments of emotion put poetry in motion. Closure or healing, through Foraged Feelings...

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Curating Courage

May we find the courage

to not take things for granted,

as each soul in our life

is luxury unbranded.

To live gravely grateful

for our time and senses,

cause what we have right now

is a wealth of chances.

May we find the courage

to forgive the people

whose silent abandon

hurts like heartless evil.

To accept that some scars

are never too deep

for a patient pardon

that is far from cheap.

May we find the courage

to be understanding,

promote love, not hatred,

fair yet undemanding.

To keep an open mind,

walking with compassion,

knowing poor prejudice

threads a toxic action.

May we find the courage

to be there for others,

say "sorry" or "I need you"

like a band of brothers.

To modestly embrace

every line we spread,

and live without regrets

for the words unsaid.

May we find the courage

to be firm and bold

when the opposition

in our world is cold.

To stand on our ground

and politely say, "NO,"

for what we believe

is what we should show.

May we find the courage

to hold out a smile

through a heavy hardship,

trials all the while.

To seek out the light

when the shadows fall,

gently persevering

when inner demons call.

May we find the courage

to be a little kinder,

"believe in ourselves"

as our warm reminder.

To accept who we are

without dark disdain,

and have faith our presence

will not be in vain.

May we find the courage

to begin again,

though the reason why

is tough to explain.

To keep moving forward

though the path's unclear,

for tomorrow comes

if we start from here.

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Kyle Miller via Pexels

From the Forager's Basket: 

In a fairer, simpler world, this eight-part piece would've been published since August 8. But as always, LIFE happens. It's hard to write when focus isn't in one piece. And before I knew it, August 18 had also passed. 📅

The world has not been kind this year. No, it never has been, I suppose? It's been a trying time for many, perhaps for everyone. People here and there are losing their daily lifelines, facing hardship either physically or mentally. Mortal lives are taken prematurely, from the heartbreaking double earthquakes in Venezuela, rampaging wildfires across France and Spain, to the most recent horrific flash flood in Nepal. Arrogant, avaricious individuals are wreaking chaos in the geopolitical landscape. Meanwhile, good souls, like the reserved, friendly thespian Sir Sam Neill, the bold, inspiring songteller Dolly Parton, the iconic, eclectic performer Tim Curry, and the gentle yet commanding narrator Peter Cullen, among many others, have departed this grim globe for eternal peace amongst the stars in the sky—at a time when we still need more of their light. 💔

As such, at the very least, this poem ought to present itself. To capture or convey how or what I feel, in place of the other, longer, deserted drafts of essays. Because maybe, just maybe, courage is what we all must muster to survive. It's the thing we need. Even if it's never as easy as it seems... 🙏🏻