I.
People enter our lives at unexpected times
Changing us in profound ways . . .
A glance, a smile or frown,
A word — spoken or written —
An act of kindness or harm.
Some remain in our lives for a lifetime,
“Others” for a moment.
Whatever it may be,
The entry of “others” into our lives
Is always an encounter of consequence,
Not to be treated lightly,
Nor dismissed as chance.
The entry into our lives of “others”
Is to be pursued — explored, understood,
For it is more than it seems,
It is a sealing of minds, lives, and spirits.
It is a connection.
II.
I was blessed yesterday to meet a man
— A person of color –
A man of quiet dignity,
His years honed by life lived amidst
Doubts and uncertainties,
Unanswered questions,
A man — humble and sincere.
I listened as he spoke of his life.
Not a frozen written narrative,
But an unfolding of his heart.
Graceful words,
Magnified in meaning
By the deliberate meter of his speech.
A sacred moment.
The man spoke of his lifetime search — his longing
For a home — not a house — but a home —
A place, anchor, refuge . . . for his soul.
A grounded piece of earth,
Upon which he could stand,
Plant roots, grow, and become.
A place where he could say:
“I am home.”
III.
I was changed by his words.
He may never know this
Unless along the way,
He finds this poem.
But no more needs to be said.
I will remember his lined face,
Gentle voice,
Deep-set eyes,
Peaceful countenance,
All shaping the moment,
Affirming — forever —
There is no “other.”
Thank you, Clive.
Anthony J. Marsella, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Department of Psychology, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, and Past President of Psychologists for Social Responsibility (PsySR)
October 29, 2012