Another sneak preview

Another poem that will appear in my memoir, Leaving the Hall Light On. Please look for its release by Lucky Press LLC on Mother's Day.

Tonglen Practice

It's the mothers and fathers I care about.

When my son died, I grieved for him

and all mothers and fathers

who ever lost a child.

I breathed in pain

and with each exhalation asked

that no parent

would have to feel

the pain of such a loss again.

But I can't do it alone.

The mothers

and fathers

over all the world

must practice Tonglen with me.

We must take the pain into our bodies,

into our souls, into our hearts,

and cleanse it with our healing breath.

Then with our collective breathing out

give this world a chance

to be safe for all our children –

all our sons and daughters.

Breathe in, breathe out

now, forever,

breathe.