Ah, we are rendered strong
in rushing water,
not by virtue of the swell,
not from the tumble,
but from the way life always
bids us raise our head,
and how we find ourselves connected
to what keeps holding us
even down and down along the rapids

We are rendered strong
in our discovery
of what courses through our sinew —
inner energetic rivers rise
to meet the outer ones.
They celebrate together
and we are strong.

©Wendy Mulhern
October 10, 2016