22 years ago today
when I was a month shy of 22
I roared earthside baby #2.
at 2 months old and nearly 20 pounds
his spirit was already
bursting through his skin!
His heart whispering
that he was here to make the world
not be made to fit into it.
At 20 months old
it was clear
that his restless being
would finally settle to a purr
when he was surrounded by community.
At 2 it was easy
for him to hand over his birthday presents
to an eager big brother
because the stuff never mattered
but the company always did.
At 12 he was initiated into priesthood
a spiritual giant
impressing the congregation with his thoughtful piety
while the pressure mounted inside.
On the precipice of the next initiation
I looked in his eyes and told him about my leap of faith
Weeping, he said, “you mean I don’t have to?”
And he took his own leap in a new direction
But by now he was so used to the pressure
that he wasn’t sure he could live without it
And at 20 it solidified when
the community he felt safe to purr in
proved unable to match his loyalty and tenderness
He picked up his tools
And attempted again and again to make this life work
chipping away at the darkness inside
nearly succombing to it
Then roaring himself back to passion, to life
Today he is 22
blowing the dust off the diamond
that was forged under pressure
uncovering
a kind of love
that will remake this world.