Through the Pressure of Storms

[Miss Lhea J. Love]

from Carrying You
for Large Lee, Lar'lee, Cope, Largiel
for my father
by Lhea J. Love

They
said I'd be dead
or in jail by age Seven-
the fate of Mississippi eyes
that don't bow under pressure
buckle to power
nor submit
to lies.

Copyright 2007

*******

Who are you under pressure?

Most of us, save the enlightened, have pressure points developed over
time. Pockets of hardened callouses, places of unhealed wounds,
waiting to be poked, prodded offended or exposed.

In the light of day, we may be the sweetest neighbors, the hardest
working employee, the most caring family member. Unfortunately it is
the nights of storm that folks remember. And it is the stormy nights
that builds your character

Who are you in the storm?

If we can remember that no one is perfect, then we can forgive
ourselves for our imperfections. The sooner we can let ourselves off
the hook for the past, the sooner we can address past wounds in the
present and prevent uncalled-for outlashes, outcries and outburst.

What are you pressure points? When you are ignored? Who do you react
when you are teased, or mocked? How do you respond when others offend
you?

Kipling wrote, "If you can keep your head when all about you/ Are
losing theirs and blaming it on you." If you can, then you win.

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you,
then you win."
--Mahatma Ghandi