I.
The waspy Philadelphia yoga instructor
Compelled by her own inability to say "no"
Compelled by LOVE or some combination of both
Finds herself in Turkey, listening to victims of American torture
Awkwardly attempting to be a compassionate witness
Writing down every word in the court room
These men one by one, tell their stories, their lives
And their forgiveness
Heart breaking open like the split pomegranates
In Istanbul markets
She is forever broken open and tender
Back home, experiencing reverse culture shock
PTSD-like flashbacks of violence and degradation
Not her own, yet now belonging to her
Writes a play and performs
Love Letters from Abu Graib
II.
Jesus proclaimed, "You are loved!"
2011 years later we fail to know it still
"I have loved you with an everlasting love,
Beyond, measure, beyond time..."
Jeremiah proclaims of God's love for us.
Our hearts too small. Ten sizes too small.
When wilt thou save the people?
O, God of mercy, when?
III.
Volunteering at a hospital in Botswana
I was compelled to love a little girl
3 months old, abandoned and adorable
Instructed via heartstrings to care for her
My presence on the children's ward
Became ordinary all hours of the day and odd at night
Not allowed to take her home, foster or adopt her
Hilary was growing up in the hospital
My heart broke when I had to leave
Never knew I could love one not of my birthing
I grieved for her presence and her future
Like the death of a daughter the ache was so keen
Upon returning, I saw the love in the head nurse's gestures and eyes
The maintenance ladies hands and laughter
When Hilary began to walk
They sent her, (with tears in their eyes)
To live with her eighty something great grandmother
Over the boarder in Zimbabwe
I hope and pray that she will come to know the story
Every time she lost someone, someone else stepped up
To love her, simply love her and care for her
Not just the story of her losses
IV.
You are loved, should you doubt, consider this:
Have you ever lain down at night and gazed up at the stars?
Now imagine you are looking down at them
What happens? Why don't you fall?
What holds you to the Earth?
Gravity, of course! But what is gravity, really?
Scientists will tell you what gravity does
But cannot tell you what it is.
I assure you it is love
Love, Earth's love holds you close.
