An Open Letter To My Grandson ~ When you sail, kiss the waters

An edited version of this work was published by Blue Mountain Arts Press, Boulder, Colorado in their spring collection entitled Nothing Fills The Heart With Joy Like a Grandson available at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Hallmark and most book stores. More of my poetry and writing can be found within this blog and in an upcoming book. Please contact me if you're interested in my work.

When You Sail, Kiss the Waters ~ 

An Open Letter To My Grandson

October 2011: I have a picture of you that stays with me. It was taken a few  minutes after you were born. You were railing against a newfound world. "Where am I?  Why are these people touching me? What is this new plane of existence?  Why is it so bright in here? Who are YOU? I want to go back to the  safety of my mother's womb. Take me back! I want to go back!" you  squalled and squalled until your father took your hand in his and  shhuuushed your fears

Never forget that place

The squalling or the shushing

When you feel the uncertain rush of a cold stinging world

scream to go back again
 because I don't want you to forget it

It is where all things begin

where all memories start

where all breaths breathe first in the waters of life and dreamers hear music and poems

where love is made strong and unbreakable

and you are made you

You  will find it in the roots of the trees and grass and all things chained to the earth and sea, the  magic of peace in a sunset of blue and oh, please don't stop looking for  it, or missing it, or reaching for that place, my little one. It's never far away.

Behind the love in your mother's eyes there's a large deep pool of it

drink it up

 it's the most powerful thing on earth

this love that carries you far

and is the only way home

If you do great things, do them greatly

and keep them rooted in the ways of greatness

When you walk, walk aright

when you kneel, bow your head

for deep love from afar has carried you here

and it is the only way home

If you love someone, love them all

from the tops of their heads to the soles of their feet

and don't worry that none love you back

the giving of love makes the greatness of love

and it is the only way home

If you speak great things, speak them mightily

for once they are spoken they're done

remember that love will carry you far

and is the only way home

when you sing, my boy, sing it slowly

until the words wrap round your soul

until melodies happy sing into the sad
in that place that will never let go

where the waters of dreams began and you railed

to go back
no matter
just sing

Curiosity, carry it

Knowledge, crave it

Imagination, loose it

Seat belts
wear them

and buckle your animals in

Be a gentleman first and a tough guy last

Be a man, be a boy

and a whole human 

being

you

do not turn ignorance back on yourself

and before you return hate for hate

bless each word you say with the grace of God

then say it before it's too late

If you must fall
 fall straight to your knees

you will learn how to stand

on your feet

by the fear in your heart

the sweat on your face and the love that beats strong
in your chest

 when you pray, pray it well

pray it loud, pray it long
you will find it's the only way home

and don't ever for once let me hear you disown
the sacred, the power, the price

When you sail, kiss the waters

When you fly, talk to God

When you run
 lay claim to spirits

When you walk, face the wind

When you reach, touch a cloud
or a cobweb
then touch them again

when you watch, take your time
When you turn, trust the way
and listen for angels to speak
you will see the unseen
in the place of unseens
if you listen for words in between

when you dance, spin her round

when you're lost, turn around

and rebel

while the dancing is good

when you sleep, dream for me

and unravel the seen

into spirit

where all things begin

and never forget

oh never forget

that love 

is the only way home

Watch where you step

when you step over fools

and preach on when you're silent
be still

then run round the bases and gather up aces
to slip up your sleeve when you fall
 tumble in dust and kick up a fuss
steal them all
then steal them again

Don't fight for the right if the right makes you wrong
you can always change course in the night
Courage is standing and never demanding
your way
but make sure you stand right

Love freedom, defend it

Hate war
 curse it
and tell them your grandmother said
to unmake war
and remake peace
but make sure what you're making it for

When you're happy, swim in it

when you're troubled, swim through it

when you're fearful, swim over it

when you love, drown in it

Keep your eye on the ball, your foot on the base

and run, oh my boy, just run

and never forget

  oh, never forget

that love

is the only way home

And me, Little One, you and me

I make a pact with you today

When you hurt

hold my hand

And don't ever forget
that love

is the only way home

copyright poem: Mimi Lenox Photo credit: Mimi Lenox Join us for BlogBlast For Peace Nov 4

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