There was that night when the cats were frightened
because they saw a feral butterscotch cat outside the door—
and for days they yowled and shrieked at each other
out of fear of what they didn’t understand,
intimidated by what they didn’t know how to fight.
So they fought each other.
Displaced aggression, said the vet,
and she encouraged us to give them space.
Today, when the news is full of butterscotch cats
that come to my door, I understand the instinct
to wail, to caterwaul. I understand the impulse
to fight with someone, anyone, to raise my voice,
to find my claws, to hiss and arch and attack
in an effort to discharge this aggression that pumps in me
churns like a river in flood stage, filled with debris and mud.
And that is when some inner voice,
a voice so quiet it’s almost impossible to hear,
suggests, “Singing is still an option.”
Suggests, “Can you shine in this moment?”
Suggests, “If you choose to speak only love,
if you choose to give space,
how might that change the only thing
you are able to change?”
Thanks so, Rosemerry. I really needed this this morning. Getting set to shine…
Ahhh! And there it is … here’s to shining in the dark …
Thank you! So hard.
it’s just a wild whirled for now … and so we show up!!
Along with the many winds that buffet you, there is a constant that comes through in so much of your work–singing, a song, music. It must be part of your core!! It speaks to me!
it’s so true–singing feels so central to being alive! and always available. and always free … and always calming. even a hum. so glad it speaks to you, too!
Singing has been very useful for me today and yesterday. (And always, but especially now.) It’s hard to overstate how much it physically calms and centers.
<3
It’s soooooo true. so true. I realized as I sang “another one bites the dust” (maybe not the most calming song, but it was the one that showed up) … that I sing it wrong … all these years I have sung “Steve walks merrily down the street…” instead of “Steve walks warily … ” and it has been cracking me up ever since, like putting Queen and row row row your boat in a blender.
Thank you for this. It was like a blessing to me this morning
Oh yes, friend … we bless each other. Love to you
Your words sing a song of peace to our fretful souls, as they also point the way to becoming calmer when we do what we are capable of to nurture our hearts. Thank you! 💜
I read a quote from Bruce Springsteen a few days ago where he remarked on the total lack of joy in the White House. No musical performances, no art, no laughter. We fight back with joy, singing ,writing and valuing our every breath.
Soooo true. What a sadness for our country.
And yet we thrive … imagine how it will be with a little more encouragement from the top, one could hope!
r
Right now there appears to be dancing in the streets.
the best way to meet this moment!!!