Bittersweet

 This year I want to dance more, laugh more, hug more,

present with the sheer joy of living,

soaking in the sacred preciousness of my breath. 

Last year we felt the deep pain of loss,

but in the midst of the bitterness was so much sweetness. 

And that's what makes a life.

The bitterness and the sweetness, 

the birdsong after the darkest of nights.

The magic of an ordinary day, 

highlighted like dust motes in sun rays.

The touch of a hand, soft breath on the cheek,

children's laughter and a glint in the most pixie-like eye.

The kindness of a friend or the unconditional love of an animal,

permeating my heart like water on parched soil.

Life- something alive beyond my understanding,

breathtakingly beautiful, painfully hard.

The blood, sweat and tears, and resounding, deafening grief...

and yet the sweetness so sweet

 it breaks through the brittleness, the stagnancy,

and somehow it is beyond, it is deep, it is beautiful.