What I love about you most
is how you become what you
care for. You are eager to begin,
but in no hurry to leave. And so,
when you offered to build a bookcase
in which my tall wooden Ganesh can
look over me as I dive into the ancient
swirl of secrets that are only secret
because we refuse to become what
we care for-it made me love you more.
It took many seasons and you shared
every step, from the soft pencil design
to taking off my closet doors to make
sure the dream would fit. Then, the
list of materials and the choice of a
proper light, so that every time I’d
turn, I could see Ganesh bow to the
unbendable truth that what’s in the
way is the way. For months, we dis-
cussed the grain of wood, the number
of shelves, the placing of Ganesh like
truth at eye level, the curve of molding
that would crown the ancient god who
I have come to trust as much as I trust
you. The walnut now holds my books
hauled up from the deep. And while
I work hard to see what waits beneath
the masks we cling to, the precision of
your care holds everything in place.
AUG 26–28: Mercy By the Sea, 167 Neck Rd, Madison CT, weekend workshop, Reclaiming Our Humanity: Being Fierce and Tender in Our Call to Love, Fri 7–9:30PM EST Sat 9:30–5:30PM EST, Sun 9:30–1230PM, ( web link) — IN PERSON
