There are times in life
when you make an error.
Old wounds drive bad choices.
The wounds rise up from the swamp-bottom;
a giant hairy arm — the wound itself —
lifts you from the water’s edge
and takes you under the surface.
When there, you swear you will drown.
But the beast behind the arm
has its own way. It purifies you,
cures the soul’s ailments,
turns you into a different creature —
one more capable of love, more able
to behold beauty, and, having neared death,
fearful of absolutely nothing.
This is how it is with us.
I have been to the swamp bottom.
The creature has had its way.
It looked like I lost my heart,
but he stole away my fear.
Now, that giant hairy arm
takes me back to the world —
from submergence to light. Every
color vibrant, every sound subtle,
every smile bright, every light
shining joy into our world.
Such an experience happens once
in a lifetime… if you are lucky.
The swamp beast comes to heal,
and the healing is intense.
My love never stopped;
it grew new roots to the center
of the earth. Here. Please take my hand.
Let’s let the error go. Let’s walk
forward together into a new future.
Anthony Signorelli