to be a poet is to be a waiter

you wait for inspiration

you wait for that ray of sun

that illuminates,

explains some piece of life

that eluded you before:

a casual kiss of a child to its mother

a smile, a laugh –

you looking on: grateful for a happy glimpse of humanity

glad to leave the dark side

hungry for the light

a chance blessing that you grab up and put in a poem

a recipe for life:

some hope mixed in with the despair

the light on the horizon

the hope sensed only sometimes

that everything is going to be alright

that you came through the horror and the pain

and found joy

and can hear the angels calling your name

to tell you, you are blessed, you are safe

and everything is going to be alright

that you are protected and glorious

and every day your light can shine

if you let it

and someone can see your light

and be changed by it and let their light shine too

to be a poet is to wait.

– Mary Getlein

Dedicated to my daughter, Susan Getlein, who is stronger than she knows.