Friday, April 30, 2010

Safe Place

I’m longing for a safe place
A spot of heaven here on earth
To dance, to sing, to play
To laugh as the light tickles my nose
Bubbling passion, color and zest
A living collage of leather, velvet and lace

I’m longing for a safe place
Where a hand on my shoulder says,
“I give you strength, have courage!” and
Eyes full of dangerous adventure sparkle,
“Go ahead! Dare! Take a risk!
I’ll catch you when you fall!”
In a web of homespun grace

I’m longing for a safe place
Where visions can be safely birthed
Through the jungle of doubters and scoffers
Someone ploughs ahead
And someone has got my back –
Carving out a way to an Inn, a barn, a shed,
Or some other fertile space

I’m longing for a safe place
Where an unmistakable voice rings out
Clear as a bell
For all to hear,
“This is my beloved friend, in her I am well pleased!”
Yeah! Where I can grow tall and confident,
blossom and flourish,
Every self doubt erased

I’m longing for a safe place
Where the game rules are easy to understand
And the foul lines clearly marked for all to see
So I don’t have to tiptoe around
In fear of tripping a live wire
Before I safely reach home base

I’m longing for a safe place
Where I am treated like a good novel
Each word savored
Every page carefully turned
with hopeful anticipation of a happy end
Where the clues to the plot are uncovered,
And the Author’s intention traced

I’m longing for a safe place
Where vulnerability is a two way street
Where we entrust each other
with our insufficiencies
Where we celebrate each other
as our missing part
Where power and titles are lost
in a friendship’s embrace

I’m longing for a safe place
A spot of heaven here on earth
To live, to work, to pray
Where I love as I am loved
And I dare to find a friend
In an enemy's face

3 comments:

Jan Fischer said...

marvelous and touching... i am longing too for such a place, and i will seek to find it with you and to be such a place for others.

Esther said...

Lee, I just read your poem - loved your expression and can relate so much, esp. today... Lots of greetings!

Lee Fischer said...

Thanks Esther! That is sweet. Sorry if that means you had a bad day today! We should try and hook up sometime!