SAFE SPACES - A New Poem

I realized recently that my life is presently engaged in sort of protective effort that I never expected or anticipated finding myself in.  Whether dealing with my aging Mom, or the more frustrating transitions of middle age, or fighting despair at so many things happening in the greater world, I seem to be trying to create havens in my life against the more wearing aspects of these influences. I asked myself what I was doing, and the answer came back - "creating spaces of safety."

No offense is intended, or judgement made on the safe space movement by this poem. If anything, writing it made me question my need the more. It made me ask myself, "what can you achieve beyond protection, by securing yourself against things that challenge you?"

It's a valid question that I am not sure the poem answers, but it is one that I shall continue to explore. After all, "no man is as island..." and "safe" is not a sustainable "forever" choice.  In the meantime:

Safe Spaces

by Judith Cullen

© 2018

I. Of Fear

Every day a walk with death.

A wish for a peaceful passing;

yet the dread of that dawn

when that pulsing will have fled.

Every year a whittling away.

Continual compromising beyond

the reasonable seeming of life.

Will not one dream remain?

A world grows unfamiliar.

Divisiveness, hate, and anger

like cuts and blows, sharp pains.

Desiring cessation - please stop!