Yep, I’m still here. Things have been tough, so I’ve been giving myself permission to focus on the big stuff and let the smaller stuff slide. Which, obviously, includes the blog. However, since every single person who reads this thing knows me directly and has other means of interacting with me, I’m not too worried. You all know how to find me when you need me.

And I know how to find you, too. Promise.

But this poem came into my world, and now I’m sharing it with you. It’s actually the text of a song we’re learning for the November TCWC concert. It’s not the only one by this poet, and I think they are all truly phenomenal, but this is the one that keeps making it hard to learn music when getting all teary:

For Love of the World
by Charlotte Tall Mountain

For the love of a tree,
she went out on a limb.

For the love of the sea,
she rocked the boat.

For the love of the earth,
she dug deeper.

For the love of community,
she mended fences.

For the love of the stars,
she let her light shine.

For the love of spirit,
she nurtured her soul.

For the love of a good time,
she sowed seeds of happiness.

For the love of the Goddess,
she drew down the moon.

For the love of nature,
she made compost.

For the love of a good meal,
she gave thanks.

For the love of family,
she reconciled differences.

For the love of creativity,
she entertained new possibilities.

For the love of her enemies,
she suspended judgment.

For the love of herself,
she acknowledged her worth.

And the world was richer for her.