When we experience love,
we have no doubt.
We understand the world
we live in is for us and nature
is created for humans.
But we know, unless our hearts
feel the blossoms of friendship,
forgiveness—the essence of love—
cannot flower. We see the stream
water gurgle, its voice fresh and vital.
Mountains, seas, oceans, plains—
wild with roses, the sky, galaxies,
stars, moon and sun give the lesson:

Live a beautiful, beautiful life
from the depths of sight and thought.
Our hearts be heavenly, holy
and without end for love
and forgiveness.

The bottom of our hearts—
roots that dig deeply into earth
hold fast, while in the fall,
we throw our problems—
autumn leaves of yellow.

In winter, we rage. Hatred,
disgust, vengeance poison us.
We must slow, quiet our hostility,
replace it with the warmth of love,
warm our cold bodies. Then,
we should be green, renew,
smile as the spring blood flows
to penetrate our hearts and minds.

Finally, summer, warm,
bright as the sun, fill and feed us.
Write, write!
Write this heart.
Empty the mountains of sorrow,
hardship, and destruction.
Remove the dagger
from deep within.
Let your heart heal.

By Nasima

This work was supported by the Fetzer Institute.