Change is Sure to Come

(First, raw draft)

Any kind of change

is birthed from discomfort.

A muscle, a diamond,

and a yogi with a “bad” knee

can tell you that.

But comfort is a rainbow,

its spectrum reflecting from

a stubbed toe to a bruised ego

to a crippling fear.

We are conditioned

to believe that the ultimate level of discomfort—

war—

is the only landing strip

for revolution.

Understand:

Peace is a choice—

the sort of discomfort

that only asks for simplicity;

For comfortable shoes, a herb garden,

and wanting only as much

as you need.

Change is sure to come

with bloodshed

or with love.

Either path is certain to ask

for more.

True revolution

will only wash up on our shores

when we are ready 

for the percussion of the sun on our backs,

for the earth to snuggle between our toes,

for the blisters to hug our palms,

for the small houses and wide fields,

for the giving more and the taking less,

for the uncomfortable work.

Luxury is the illusion

of the taunting pot of gold.

Lifetimes are spent

chasing the light that is already within,

when the true treasure can be found

in the absence

of greed.

Santa Cruz, CA | May 2016