Friday, September 17, 2021

Peter Tarlton

Rubber Bands and Boxes

You believe This, and I believe That
Seemingly opposite views, held in value boxes
Silently, or uttered with condemning inflexion.
We shelve others’ value boxes, like quality manuals, to be Labeled with “no influence” for our relationships or actions.

Yet some boxes are bound with rubber bands of
Flexible shape, length, and connecting strength, used
To tightly secure, or open and allow contents to be shared, Perhaps an example for “We” humans to consider.

Do I know you, really? How? to what degree
Would you say that we are friends?
For a reason, or a season, or for life?
Were you born here, or did you come here from away?
Do we simply wave across aisles from our Sunday pews?
Or have each other’s back when it counts, on some “frontline”?

It can be lonely, or worse if chastised, to hide one’s values in a box,
Yet hunger for something in common to emerge through the harsh
Filters of polarized opinions, religious judgments, and colors of tribalism. There is joy when kindness and appreciation can be experienced,
Or bonds of greater purpose, even American ideals, are shared,
Or just Being together, warts and good parts, moving with elastic continuity. How can you or I share the “little light of mine”, from deep inside?

What does it take to for members of a faith community To truly feel like an extended family, to not
Go through the motions of prescribed routines, but Genuinely engage, creatively join interests and talents?

Could it be as simple as to ask,
“What determines the way your box of values is shaped?”, And then absorb what is said in some new way.
Might knowing more about one another, and caring,
Start friendly connections, and help Peace to fill our existence?