And if we are surprised at life —
if what we’re dealt, if what we’re dealing with
is so removed from what we planned, imagined,
If we are flummoxed or bemused,
or wrung out till it seems no more can follow,
life still takes us by our puzzled hand,
leading us to drop our expectations

On the other side, life waits to emerge
in our consciousness
like green leaves after winter,
soft as new growth on firs,
miraculous as horse chestnuts
with their springing buds,
profound as the secret
of trees seeding clouds for rain,
bringing blessings more transformative than tears,
reestablishing our faith.

©Wendy Mulhern
June 2, 2016