Living Tree Poetry

Sit with a problem.

Anything that arouses
anger, fear, distress.

Sit with it
and watch.

See how it does not stay the same
though the problem might persist.

See how the way it’s held
has a bearing on its weight.

And the shape of it evolves
as we turn it in our hands.

See how a day, or night,
or week might help

to hold it
with greater ease.

And another’s eyes and ears –
see how it is perceived.

And then sit still
and watch again.

Perhaps with time and company
it might continue to evolve.

Until when surveyed afresh
we might find it part dissolved.

Yes, sit with a problem
and ask, ‘what gift is this?’

Anything that arouses anger,
fear, distress,

sit still
and watch.

See how we may
in some way have changed

though the problem might persist.

Ana Lisa de Jong
Living Tree Poetry
January 2019