she holds tension
a poem to honor Bertha Nibigira…a new friend who i had the chance to meet at a recent Undivided workshop sponsored by The District Church…
Bertha, it is in your depth and gift of seeing both sides that inspires us all to look within for places we can grow…
she holds tension
that is her
blessed with an
enormous capacity
to hold two views
to hold two sides
in a way
that opens up
new perspective
she is always
perceptive
building bridges
and breaking down walls
so we don’t become
at odds
because it is when we stop talking
that people start leavin
or worse
might try to get even
she holds tension
blessed with tremendous
courage and audacity
to keep us
even
she is the kind of person
that when tension strikes
she doesn’t take sides
she first looks inside
at what might
separate and divide
she holds tension
at times
this creates doubt
our world so calls for
splits and sides
why can’t she just conform
and fall in line
but not her
because her character
will never subside
it is her
holding this tension
that gives us space to grow
we get to the answers
we have never seen
i mean can we agree the violence in this world
truly is quite obscene
it will be people like Bertha whose
heart knows it truly means to suffer
they tried to break her and push her aside
but still she refuses to take violence’s side
it is her tenderness that sees humanity
so fully
putting those suffering the most above
her peace builders heart is what we need
to return our world to love
she reminds we all must cure
the separation inside
remembering
there is no time to brush
one another aside
because it is when
we get close
where we finally start to see
i am really just a part of you
and you are a part of me
so i hope on this day
she holds onto the truth
that the tenacity and audacity
in her capacity
is something to never let go
even when it is hard
even when she feels alone
even when her soul is tired
and screams to just let go
this is when our world
needs her the most
making sure we stay close
with a voice that
will never cease
where understanding
will only increase
because it is when
the tension holds
where we finally
uphold
the bond of
peace
