Gentleness

We offer each other a soft landing
within a world of hardened hearts
we take the moment
for breath
for the pause
for listening to the heartbeat
that still runs steady beneath our feet

We offer our own gentleness
flowing outward into the world
a quiet defiance
in the face of everything brash
a counter to sharp edges
meant to damage
our softness is our strength

We offer tenderness
extending it into a world
that seeks to tear down, rather than to build
choosing to live with open hearts – Caroline A. Slee