This is a poem I recently wrote for a friend’s 90th birthday honoring her for her decades of work quietly but effectively telling truths through stories and art for children and adults.
By truth the Earth endures,
said the ancient Irish Druids.
And by untruth, Earth falls,
in untold stories, mis-told stories,
repressed stories, oppressed stories.
Some Truth Tellers
wield a trumpet and hammer to attack
untruths like they are going to war,
as if that could squelch centuries of
injustice, bigotry, and violence.
But maybe a better way is to
waft truth into the very air we breathe
on gentle drafts of rose petals and love,
through stories of strength,
wisdom, courage, and compassion.
Give the gift of truth in the daylight of
happy laughter and inspired tears,
until no one believes the untruths and they finally
disappear like smoke in a purifying rainstorm.
The Truth Teller labors and persists
to bring these stories to their corner of the world.
Real change starts when we
make a difference where we are.
What Truth Tells may not know
is that they are also the story
of quiet yet formidable determination,
an example for all
who know what they do, and why.
Only when Truth Tellers work hard
even when it seems untruth is too powerful to conquer,
Day by day, they do it
And by truth the Earth yet endures.
This is beautiful, uplifting, inspiring and encouraging! What a treasured gift. Thank you so much for sharing this! Blessings to the birthday goddess! 🩵