For Nelson
(1943-2025)
Bleak February, frozen rain, and one more friend gone into the unknown.
Gone home to find that place to rest from frost.
To find that place promised after a hard, long day of searching out seeds, after a life
of calling us home, of winnowing, foraging compassion,
done well and fearlessly. I wish for him some quiet time, some kind time,
something warm to drink, a nice place of thawing and a song to soothe.
**
Outside my window, two cardinals stand on a naked branch, male, female. I want
to say to them it’s not spring yet, not time for love yet, and what are you two doing
out there in this misery of a day? Frozen rain hits the window.
Go somewhere to get warm. You are too small to face this fury. Find a bush and
huddle. As the day winds down into darkness, I wonder and worry, where do they
go at such a time? Where do they shelter from this bone-cold drizzle?
**
Our friend is gone, but we are here, our work undone. We are here and as we wait
for thawing in this frozen time, we offer sanctuary to the weary heart that will last
through chaos and destruction, that will shelter what is real. And in the meantime,
we will not submit to lies and we will speak the speech of truth.
**
Can we find a shelter in this furious storm? In our hearts is there a place where life
remembers life? Is there a haven that provides a footstool for the weary and sweet
notes of recognition? In the waiting for this violence to pass, can we make a
tincture for the wounded and a cover from the wind? Can we take our stand
against this gale like the cardinals?
At risk and balanced on a branch like birds, we have the sword of truth, the armor
of the heart, the certainty of right. We search for seeds of clarity and memory that
tell us even forty days and forty nights of flooding sent one bird flying into the
water-covered land carrying hope.
Our little cardinals, bravely red and steely gray, stand on the naked branch
witnessing life. Against this hurricane of wrong, we take our stance as well.
© Linda Beatrice Brown, Feb.26,2025
(*Nelson Johnson was a life-long activist for equality, justice, and truth)