Dear Stranger

I hope when we see each other fall, We pull out a pair of wings

Dear Stranger,

I hope you have people that hang your baby pictures

And that one where you are a bright teenager, 

smiling so big

I hope you knew they were proud of you 

without even saying it

Even if you didn’t understand one another all the time

I hope you have memories of yourself well-loved

In snuggly pajama feet 

and a warm belly

Bathtubs full of bubbles

I hope that those who raised you

tried their best,

Introduced you to a community 

that upheld you 

and you, them

And if they didn’t

I hope they fought 

their demons

I hope you fight 

for your dreams

Both battles 

are necessary

I hope you’ve met God

And spoken aloud all the tangled 

Thanksgivings

And Misgivings

Of a life forging 

Human Faith

I hope we love each other now

In all our complete

Flailings

And Failings

And I hope when we see each other fall

We pull out a pair of wings

Or at least a sturdy branch 

to cling to

Knowing that to break another’s 

Plummet

Might also help us rise 

back up

Dear stranger,

I hope you're hoping for good things for me too.

Dear Stranger Photo by Ryoji Iwata on Unsplash

a note to you, reader:

I want to honor this poem, as one of the first I have shared publicly. I honor those that have gone before me, to share the words of their hearts.

A work of art, a dance, a musical composition penned + strengthened, the written word…to me, each variation allows a glimpse of the soul and is a generous offering to the world.

We are here, we are trying, we are forgiving, we are loving… we continue to carry on.