What to Do with Sadness

When sadness lingers,

When loneliness creeps in to sit beside you

And will not leave,

When you can no longer feel a spark of joy

In even a hidden corner,

Find something,

Anything

That is burning–

A star

A porch lamp

A candle on the table.

Then, imagine that light

At the center of your heart

And remember

You are molten love.

The only thing to do

With sadness

Is to introduce it to

Indestructible Beauty–

To the flame

Of love Present in every

Living thing.

Start with a Morning glory

Or a sparrow.

Start with the Spirited eyes

Of the woman

Who serves you Coffee.

Start with a poem.

Say,

Sadness meet cherry blossom.

Lethargy meet the Ninth Symphony.

Despair meet the eyes of a child.

And then,

Be very, very quiet,

Take a few deep breaths,

And

Let them converse for a time.

--Heidi Rose Robbins