Opening the heart

 Image via WikipediaToday I had my final interview to be a volunteer for Hospice by the Bay, and I'm happy to report I've been accepted.  I picked up my photo badge and official bag, so I will be starting my "work" next year.  Meanwhile, I wanted to share this poem we received during our training, as I thought it was profoundly moving:

Opening the Heart

by Margaret Ruth Allen

Consider this purple tulip

sitting in a vase on the kitchen window sill.

Every morning

she unfurls to the light

then gently closes at dusk.

Her fidelity to natural rhythm persisting
though stem is cut from root.

Now,

the closer she approaches

the end of her mortal life,

the wider she flings open

her glossy petals

until finally

she reveals without reserve

the full golden glory

of her devoted heart.

She does not constrict her unfoldment

though the night is coming

that has no earthly dawn.

Oh my friend

can we do less

than this fearless flower?