We came into the garden at a time of fear
The threat of Covid was ever presently near
A threat of the knee on the neck that oppressed
A constant fear of living in stress
In this sea of angst, history was made, while the story of our garden was laid
So why in this fear was I choosing to be
In this newly formed garden creating a ‘WE’
My need to find drive as the zero approaches
A need inspired by my son’s frequent reproaches
A moment in time that felt just right - a new direction to bring into sight
Session one and the trust bomb unleashed a new light
Shattering privilege and inherited right
Being in or out of the screen showed the flaw
the imbalance of justice we hold at the core
It made me reflect on why I do what I do, from a fresh perspective totally new
It also enabled me to see
The sense of empathy deeply rooted in me
Realize that the fight is always ongoing
And there is always more that we could be knowing
A learning experience that grows and grows, with wild patterns and the very odd rose
On the garden path, there were so many lessons
Highlighting truths that became real blessings
Truths that build on the knowledge I hold
An Iceberg of understanding starts to unfold
I leave feeling stronger in new roots and foundations - matching my needs and aspirations
And what did I learn from the gardeners I met
Too many in lines of prose to reflect
How do you explain 27 new mates
Each one with a beauty of their own to relate
I knew the faces as each passed me by, the deep wisdom reflected eye after eye
30 pages of notes were required to reflect
On the deep and profound garden effect
The 360s revealed even more yet
Mirrored reflections from the faces I met
At that point, I was finally truly aware, of the impact I have on my practice of care
So, how has this helped me be more clear
On where to now from this garden in fear
It’s rekindled my fire and helped frame my direction
Confronting white peers with supremacy correction
Whilst enabling safe spaces for others to grow, allowing trust to build and to flow.
On the issues, I realize give me great drive
Like refugees seeking shelter who just want to thrive
An earth being consumed too fast for our health
How do we help people to value their wealth
Using wisdom from the elders and their tradition, undoing the harm of my generation
I don’t know my role, just that one will appear
If I cultivate a garden with love and not fear
I will try to make sure I avoid being a bore
Cos, Dogmatism is too often a chore
Lots of stuff has been chucked in the mulcher and I also want to reconnect with my culture
I have not done laughing at life and its fates
Enjoying music and connection with my newfound soul mates
Writing doggerel that I hope sounds like poetry to some
Out of my comfort zone, I have ventured to come
I hope it made sense, like the garden to me, and helped you understand the truths I now see
Love and hope is what everyone needs
DSIL is the garden that provides the seeds