when you are hurt

and your knees have bent

for your hands to

pick up stones

defensive

 

pause…..

 

you do not need to start

a battle

that might become

a war

that may damage

far-far beyond what your

reflexive hand

ever intended

 

instead….

 

place the stone down

between you

–then add some more

as you can

as an offering

towards peace

 

and begin to build

a bench instead

where you may meet

in the middle,

sit together in the sun,

admire the view,

and discover common ground

 

–take the pause before you throw that stone

Heather Pound 2024

Photo by Simon Schmitt on Unsplash