We are greater together

Tara C. Trapani

At this time of year, we at the Forum want to take a moment to express our gratitude for the animals, the wise sacred trees, the wind, and the water. 

For the Indigenous peoples on whose land we now reside.

And for all of you working every day to protect and restore our beloved Earth community. For you we offer this lovely poem by poet Alberto Alvaro Rios. We can create something greater–together.

 

When Giving Is All We Have
By Alberto Ríos

One river gives
Its journey to the next.

We give because someone gave to us.
We give because nobody gave to us.

We give because giving has changed us.
We give because giving could have changed us.

We have been better for it,
We have been wounded by it—

Giving has many faces: It is loud and quiet,
Big, though small, diamond in wood-nails.

Its story is old, the plot worn and the pages too,
But we read this book, anyway, over and again:

Giving is, first and every time, hand to hand,
Mine to yours, yours to mine.

You gave me blue and I gave you yellow.
Together we are simple green. You gave me

What you did not have, and I gave you
What I had to give—together, we made

Something greater from the difference.