For the Soul

Thoughts on writing and other things.

Over the past year, I have written about a variety of topics: the weather and politics, my divorce and genocide, dandelions and the mail. My writing niche continues to elude me—unless you consider “pondering” to be a writing niche.

Most of the words I write here are how my soul ponders on specific topics. The words to a particular Christmas carol come to mind, “I wonder as I wander out under the sky, why Jesus the savior did come for to die, for poor ordinary people like you and like I.”

Often, I feel that I am wondering and wandering in search of hope, compassion, and clarity. Sometimes, the truth feels as elusive as the end of the rainbow. It can appear only in certain circumstances and can never be touched, yet that does not mean that it does not exist.

I wonder at the colors of a sunset.
Ruby-red clouds streak the horizon
as flights come to settle on the runway
that is just over the highway.

A flock of geese cross over the treetops
towards a nearby pond not yet frozen.
A stop for the night
before the next day’s flight.

I wonder at the growth of my children,
both physically and emotionally.
They helped with pies and other foods
and offered to help when at grandma’s house.

Each day, they become more aware
that they are not the center of the universe,
and yet their lives are still very egocentric.
Human development is a marvel indeed.

I wonder at the way that the world
has whitewashed the truth of the past,
hiding the infanticide, the genocide,
the ugly pieces of the stories that lead to the holiday.

As I wander through the days and nights
pondering on all manner of crises
I write to find the hope that can be seen
when light is bent.

~Caitlin Mallery

May this week bring hope to your senses and your soul.