healing

how does healing enter the world?

it cannot be manufactured or rushed
encapsulated       bottled       or crushed
automated       billed for        or bought
or crammed into a 15-minute slot
it cannot be packaged       stacked        or sorted
traded       stockpiled       or hoarded

but it can be refused
       resisted
                even denied.

what form does healing take?

it is a warm smile        a cold drink
a listening ear        a few well-placed words
it is patient and petulant        painful and soothing
it is both time and space       laughter and tears
giving in        hanging on
solitude        community

fasting        feasting
at times amputating        excising
at others transplanting        or transfusing
it can take a moment        and a lifetime
it can come through contentment
and through refusing to settle

it is thus paradoxical
       mysterious
                even magical.

how does healing enter the world?

it enters the world through care
and those who give it
through humanity
and those who choose to live it
so no wound should ultimately fester
should it?

when compassion
       can serve
                as a conduit.