shadows

And the people stayed home.
And read books, + listened, + rested, + exercised,
+ made art, + played games, + learned new ways of being, + were still.
And listened more deeply. 
Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. 
Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently.

And the people healed.
And in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless,
+ heartless ways, the earth began to heal.

And when the danger passed, + the people joined together again,
they grieved their losses, + made new choices, + dreamed new images,
+ created new ways to live + heal the earth fully,
​as they had been healed.
~Kitty O'Meara