Injuries to the body
break more than spirit.
They break sleep
into small segments
devoid of dreams
held captive
by muscles that scream
“Stop. Change position.
Move. Get up!”
until night is no more.
Injured bodies awaken
before the dawn appears
to stretch, then stretch some more
until the pain rolls away
out of sight, out of a mind
on which it closes the door.
It keeps moving and maneuvering
to find balance in the spine
where all courage rests supine
allowing hope to settle
in muscle and bone
torn and worn by strife,
to keep the body moving
on its way to healing,
on its way to a fulfilled life.
Nations must do the same,
injured by past deeds.
They cannot heal
if they insist on staying asleep.
Their pain claims all their attention,
not to mention
stiffening their hearts, minds and souls,
until they are trapped in a body
politic, unbalanced, unable to move
up and out of the bed
with forceful strides
to claim the prize
of freedom and progress
to move through the world
pain free, on the way to healing,
stretching possibilities
to live in a world truly
peaceful and free.
Word to the wise, “Awake!”
A new dawn is here.
