Following the earthquake in Italy, August, 2016

We water the earth with tears that flow
    when life is overturned,
when the ones who were present are suddenly gone,
    and there is no way of knowing how to continue.

Tears summon from the depths of our heart
whatever hope has been stored there for a
    time of need.
We take it out of the root cellar of our being
where it has rested for a time,
    and bring it forth to the light of day,
    embracing its possibility.

Within the habitat of our soul there is
    boundless hope.
Within our aching heart
we extract that portion that we need
and hold it close to our breast
    and share it with those in even greater need.
May the grief that we carry be wrapped in love
and be a blessing for the world.