Heart Passage

by Rena Priest (Lhq'temish (Lummi) Nation)

When the path we walk diverges 

and we feel we’ve lost our way 

and our confidence deserts us 

and we know we’ve gone astray 

for the road stretched out before us 

is a bleak and forsaken terrain 

this is when we search our heart 

for a passage back to grace. 

The earth has wisdom to impart 

if we are still, and silent, and brave, 

if we walk into the darkness 

we’ll find at last on any path  

there is always a new day. 

When every door we try is locked 

and the view out every window 

is of the death bound path we walked 

and we spin in lack and sorrow 

for the stream of life within is blocked 

by worry, want, and woe  

this is when we search our heart 

for a passage back to flow. 

The earth has wisdom to impart 

if only we will listen, 

if only we will heal 

we’ll find at last on any path 

the earth has answers to reveal.