Walls

*Walls* Why do we tear down walls Only to rebuild them? Maybe in the same place Or in another farther away Walls are the darkness within us. They are stifling and disruptive Mimicking the divisions among us Walls separate us Or create a barrier between what We think we hear and know, and the Peace we crave Did God create these walls? Or are they created by the fear within us? Fear of being alone Fear of failure or Fear of success These driving forces pulling each of us Outside our inner walls If we can only escape the barrier to walk Among the flowers and weeds in the garden We might just hear the wind and the bee Or the butterfly deep within the garden I ignore the simple things that are God in all His glory I can’t see past my own walls, and so Instead see the big things The mess in the kitchen The laundry piling up The work that dances with procrastination The everyday existence that becomes The monotony of my ever-aging life Entices me to reflect on what each day brings And whether I can find beauty and kindness Peace and patience Within the walls ©Mary Susan Vaughn 10/27/23