Shared humanity

 Walking this path
everyone meets stones
which cut their feet,
tree roots to trip over,
no-entry signs
and locked gates,
boulders that seem impassable.

Walking this path
our shared experience
is suffering
if that’s what we choose to focus on.
Our shared humanity
can also be joy and happiness
in accompanied walking,
helping each other
to notice stones,
avoid the tree roots,
find a new path
around the no-entry signs,
offer a helping hand
with the impassable boulders.

Our shared experience can be
not minding the stones or tree roots,
not complaining about the locked gates,
accepting the boulders,
and still finding
a reason to be joyful and happy
as we journey together
step by step.

© 26 Apr 21