Treasures Held Tight

Fist clenched tightly

treasure chest

sleep loosens

and slowly the lid opens

to reveal today's

sweaty, smooshed gems:

one warm, softened cherry

two tiny pebbles

one nail-scraping, nearly dissolved, bit of pink chalk

all wrapped-up in a moist, thoroughly bruised nasturtium

My sweet child

right hand empty

used to negotiate the world

while left hand

collects and preserves

from discovery until sleep frees

his smothered treasures

from tightly clenched fist.

A Return to Love - Marianne Williamson

My deepest fear is not that I am inadequate,

My deepest fear is that I am powerful beyond measure.
It is my light, not my darkness that most frightens me.
I ask myself
who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who am I not to be?
I am a child of God.
My playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people will not feel insecure around me.
I was born to manifest the glory of God that is within me.
It is not just in me; it is in everyone.
And as I let my own light shine,
I unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As I am liberated from my own fear,
My presence automatically liberates others.