Pause.

Breathe the same breath
the trees in the rain-forest breathe
that so brings their vibrancy
To life —
you too can awaken
like that.

Cry the same full-skied tears
the clouds cry
that refresh the world
and nurture
the roots of all things
that will one day blossom.

Connect with the electric vitality
of lightning,
catalyze the exhilaration
of your fire
and strike forth
with your mighty
loving force.

Drink in the same sweet light
the cup of each flower
uses as an ablution
to wash her beautiful,
open face

and restore yourself
with reverence
for the answered prayer
of each breath.

Chelan Harkin. “You Too Can Awaken Like That.” Let Us Dance.

I don’t know
if the sunflowers
are angels always,
but surely sometimes…
This much I know,
when I see the bright
stars of their faces,
when I’m strolling nearby,
I grow soft in my speech,
and soft in my thoughts,
and I remember how everything will be everything else,
by and by.”

Mary Oliver. From “By the Wild-Haired Corn.” Long Life : Essays and Other Writings.