Crystal Turtle, a Gift
...where god lives
I am standing outside a Chinese restaurant
beneath a striped awning
I am speaking with an older Asian woman
She says, “Look. Here. Look!” and she opens her palms
revealing beautiful crystal turtles
They are treasures!
I make sounds of deep approval and awe
“Here,” she tells me
and places one in the palm of my hand
I take the turtle and go home
only to realize that I have accidentally thrown it in the trash!
I reach into the trash can and fish it out
I am relieved:
it’s still beautiful and unharmed
Here is the treasure I have been gifted with
I treasure it and then I trash it
The tension of these opposing sides of me:
I am wonderful and I am garbage
I have a gift
I throw my gift away, or think it should be thrown away
only to reclaim my gift and smile
And then, after balance, more danger; after danger, more balance
Learn this: hold the tension of the opposites
This
This is where god lives



Such exquisite rhythm you have right now. If it were sports I would say, Val, "You are so in the zone!" And you are dear friend, you are.
Happy Thanksgiving! I like your writings. Vicki