International Journal of Appreciative Inquiry
On Fear
by Robert Neimeyer
In fear’s noose
we stiffen, freeze,
build walls between
self and other
We place ourselves
under a protective order,
lock down,
shelter in place
We sense threat,
pull back, cut off,
safeguard a self under siege
Fear is about
hardening the body,
focusing on the threat,
harboring the hurt,
running from imagined loss
It is about
fencing … distancing … censoring
saying goodbye
It is a world of
limits … orders … alerts … masks
In its grip
we strangle the life
struggling to be born
Acknowledge fear
On Faith
by Neena Verma
Faith
the quiet call of soul
an invocation for life
in grief and growth
We hold ourselves gentle
In our own embrace
snug and soft,
safe and strong
We sense life
and feel light
and sing in silence
Faith is about
being in surrender
to not-knowing,
and staying awake
to what wants to happen
It is about
sitting in awe and avowing
welcoming
It is a call for
letting-go and letting-come
In the darkest despair
hope illuminates
and life calls
Invoke faith
On Loss
by Neena Verma
In loss’s clutch
we writhe, wrench,
slide with despair
in cracks and crevices
We drown ourselves
in the ocean of despair,
lose breathe,
cry, search and yearn
We feel numb,
frail, fragile, frightened
longing for affirmation
Loss
stifles all senses,
blinds vision,
invades with pain
intrudes with grief
It is about
knocking on door
that wouldn’t open
about clutching-on
It is a cave
dark … dingy
fear… anger … sadness
In its grip
life gets smothered
yet wants to resurrect
Accept loss
On Love
by Robert Neimeyer
In love’s embrace
we soften, flow,
bridge gaps of
self and other
We usher ourselves
into broader fields,
open up,
invite others over for tea
We sense possibility,
step up, reach out,
affirm our common bond
Love is about
releasing the body,
broadening our vision,
remembering the joy,
sensing possible growth
It is about
doorways
meeting … sharing
saying hello again
It is a world of
play … touch
iguanas … elephants
In its caress
we nurture the life
yearning to be born
Choose love