In God Makes the Rivers to Flow; An Anthology of the World’s Sacred Poetry & Prose, Eknath Easwaran has included a selection from the Tao te Ching and entitled it “Mother of All Things”  I have written the following poem-like reflections inspired by this selection.

Softly

Those who see the small are called clear-headed;
Those who hold to gentleness are called strong.
—Lao Tzu

What we call God knows everything about the small: dandelion petal, grain of sand, drop of water, hummingbird.

We can’t see clearly until we take time to celebrate small kindnesses: kiss, breath.

Let the little children climb in our laps.  Let’s gather them in our arms.  Let’s admire their noses and fingers.  Celebrate their perfection.

It isn’t always easy to take time for the small.  But when we smell their graham-cracker breath, we know we’re on to something.

Every violet is an opportunity for wonder.  Every chipmunk cause for celebration.

Be soft when you put birdseed in a bird-feeder.  Be sweet when you pour your lover a glass of red wine.

There is strength in softness and sweetness.

The greatest lovers are those who, no matter how they are spoken to, speak softly.

The greatest lovers are those who can with a light finger wipe away a tear.