vulnerability

This broken chain image is found on the grave stone
of Thomas Christian in Walton Cemetery, Itawamba County
expresses the broken grief of a missing family member.
This photograph was taken by Terry Thornton.

Vulnerability
is not something
strong, successful
Americans
value,
cherish.

Even when brokenness looms
overwhelmingly
into our space,
into our minds,
into our hearts...
we are quick to mask
from others,
from ourselves
evidence
of what weighs heavy...
of what pesters,
prods,
taunts,
bullies.

Cover it up.
Pull up your boot straps and move on.
Bite your lip and get on with it.
Man up
as many have begun to say.
Big boys don't cry.
Real women persevere.

Vulnerability?
Reveal to
others...
to self
that not all is
strong,
confident,
shiny,
effecient?

Vulnerability?
Way too risky
we convince ourselves.

And yet,
voices all around me
say other
wise.

Vulnerability
they tell me is a strength,
gift,
genuine,
the very attribute
opening
us
and others
to wholeness.

Hmmm....
certainly
something
to
ponder.

And I will.