Have you ever lost sleep knowing
The world is so full of heartbreaking
Beauty and joy and hope?
So full, yet so empty, like the ocean.
An ocean of tears, salty and cold.
But the beautiful fish swim in great schools.
Even in the darkest depths there is light
Coming occasionally from strange, solitary swimmers.
I always lose sleep if I think about love
bringing new life, healing old wounds
Like the water that springs the world
And the blood that warms the body.
So why can’t I sleep? Because I am furious
With the inexcusable lack of it,
Considering we can create it ourselves
But simply don’t prioritize it.
We all have our dark moods, I know.
We can’t be full of love for everyone
at every waking moment of our lives.
But we can do better, because…
Your childhood bully was severely abused.
Your demanding boss has a child with leukemia.
Your workplace rival recently lost a parent.
Your rude barista is thinking about suicide.
Do we consider the feelings of strangers?
Do we offer full empathy to our friends?
Do we inquire into our grandparent’s past?
Do we thank our fathers for their labors?
We could, you know, make it happen.
We could send out the spores of love
With every breath, if we wanted to.
The smile is just as infectious as the frown.
Every time I remember how far love has fallen
My heart breaks open like an egg on the ground.
I nightly envision a world ruled by love, and I weep.
I guess being awake makes it harder to sleep.