Criss-crossing Emotions

When’s the last time

You cried so fucking hard

You laughed?

Let me try that again

When’s the last time

You laughed so fucking hard

You cried?

I’m learning

understanding these

Intersections of emotions

Can help unlock where we are

Where we want to be

Are we known?

Are we passive?

Are we hiding?

Are we living in joy?

Are we allowing others

To impact us?

Are we listening?

Ultimately, are we

Listening to ourselves?

Are we allowing

Enough space to enter in

So that we can handle

The criss-crossing of

Pain and joy

Love and hate

Laughter and tears

I believe this intersection

Is where tasting

The richness of life

Is pleasantly found

It’s what anchors us

To go out and step into

Often, such an ugly, unkind world

One that seems to tear us down

Rather than building us up

These puzzle pieces

Serving as the foundation

The border around

Our lives

Are needed to

Really understand things

They rubber band us

Back to a place

Of soliditity

Peace-filled

One where we are breathing

Sleeping soundly

Eating healthy foods

Feeling good about ourselves

And finding our place

In this world

Looking in the mirror

And saying,

I am okay

I am me

And I love

Me

Come on

Let’s do it!

Rick Ellsmore

6.8.20

Early AM

F/ Golden, CO Trail