Anger

I wrote this poem quite spontaneously - literally woke up and it was in my head. Anger is being played out with such devastating effects between Israel and Palestine, in Syria, in the Ukraine and in so many other places in the world. Our children are aware that this is going on around them and it must seem intractable. What hope can we give them of people moving away from acting on their anger towards reconciliation? Maybe teachers would like to share this with children so they can consider what it might mean to make friends with anger. 

Anger

Anger strikes suddenly like lightening from a storm

Anger is like a fierce sun burning in the sky

Anger like a powerful wave can knock you over

Anger fills your body like a swirling wind

Then just us quickly as it came it is gone and calm returns

But what it left in its wake?

We are wounded by its lightening strike

Drown in anger's waves

Burn under its penetrating glare

Swept up in its powerful wake

What if we could make friends with anger, talk to it, understand it, channel it?

Then we could laugh at the storm and welcome the refreshing rain

We could jump in the waves as they circle round our bodies

Enjoy the warm glow of the sun on our faces

Run with the wind.

If we could just make friends with anger.