Nothing Is Wasted
I wrote this poem for the gifted daughter of a friend, years ago:
At the time, she was setting off to art school, if I recall correctly.
I wanted to encourage, and forewarn, her...
Dear Emma,
Because you are a lover and an artist,
you will have occasion (many, actually)
to open your chest… pull out a ruby…
offer it to The World (or someone in The World)…
and it will be received with as much enthusiasm
as a piece of gum. Chewed, slathered upon, and spat.
Out.
This happens to ruby-hearted people who are responsible
for bringing through every shade of red in the spectrum,
from the gentlest pink to the baddest-assed bordeaux.
This is no small role to play — carrying around rubies
in your heart — and offering the spectrum of red,
the tastes of strawberries and mesquite, the squealing sounds
of pain and delight, the heat of hugs and blazes.
We, heart-bearers of red rubies love and create
like no one’s business because, for us, it ain’t business.
It’s beingness.
And on those days when your beingness feels
chewed, slathered upon, and spat.
Out.
Know with great certainty that nothing is wasted.
Everything is useful for the deepening of your pigment…
the deliciousizing of your flavor… the longevity of your flames.
It’s all good. Eventually. Assuredly. Good. All of it.
To give without expectation makes rubies worth more than diamonds.
I love the idea of ruby hearted people bringing out the spectrum of red. Like a prism that refracts the light of all others that it generously lets in. Love, sensuality, warmth... but more troubling emotions too. It's a great honour to have a poem written for you, one that I can attribute to only a couple of close people in my life - I hope Emma liked it!
Very insightful words - Nothing is wasted
Good words to remember especially in dark times, even those times are not wasted
Yes, @nitego, it’s during dark times I remind myself of this.
The darkness, or whatever the challenge or pain may be, is like a banana peel, and used coffee grounds, and apple cores and egg shells. Trash to the unskilled eye. Compost to the eye that can see. Fertilizer, aiding life. No waste. 💚
Wow.. This is touching.. It's amazing what can be written with words.
@kun-benjamin :-)
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nice inspiration poetry is writing by you
I love the piece there were freckles of emotions embedded in them, it's beautifully written to the sweetest.
Long time Erika.
Thanks for your kind words, @josediccus 😊
This is actually a poem that i needed to see ... Very well said. This applies to all people with huge hearts that share with the world and never expect anything back ... So happy i found your page.. this inspires me to share some of my poetry now :)
Oooh, excited to see some of your poetry, @reginayvette88!
How fortunate that many Steemit readers value poetry, while much of the mainstream kinda glosses over it, lol
Beautifully said!
I hope she cherished those words. Beautiful 🌺