I wrote this poem last week, in support of The Berkana Institute’s initiative, Gathering Friends. It is particularly inspired by my friendship and colleagueship with Margaret Wheatley.
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In These Times, Friends Matter
In these times,
friends matter,
the people we turn to.
To listen.
To be heard by.
To be seen by.
To see.
To love.
To be loved.
In these times
staying awake matters.
Interrupting the many seductions
of numbness.
It takes discipline, doesn’t it.
In these times
dwelling in complexity matters.
Old fixes don’t work.
Imposing them more loudly doesn’t work.
Waiting.
Listening.
Looking for patterns does.
Welcoming surprise
and union with life itself.
In these times
presence is core competency.
It is the core competency.
We grow it together,
telling stories,
and asking questions.
What matters to you?
What is it like to be you?
What has your attention?
Sometimes even,
What makes sense for us to do now?
In these times
friends matter.
Turn, and turn, and turn again
to one another.