GROWING IN CONCRETE
BY SARAH TONIN
My eyes stare out the window at the wide blue sky,
how I year to touch it, “Why God can’t I?”
“Well, my child,” he whispers to me,
“You cannot touch before you can truly see.”
“Why must you talk in in riddles? I ask, “I don’t understand.”
Bursting with a father’s love, he smiles and takes my hand.
He guides me to the window, so close my breath fogs the glass.
“Tell me what you notice in absence of trees and grass.”
I slump my shoulder and let out a sigh,
“Nothing but concrete and barbwire,” I say, “It’s kinda obvious. Why?”
“You’re not looking close enough,” he says, “take your time and look once more.
You can find the beauty in everything if you just let your mind explore.”
Determined to be a winner at this game he asked me to play.
I see the bright shining sun and follow its gleaming ray.
I follow it from the heavens, down to the ground like a spotlight in that direction,
and notice a crack in the walkway, “What’s so special about this imperfection?”
“Ah, very good,” he says, “but it’s not the crack; it’s what’s in between.”
After I squint my eyes, I see it. It’s a little sprout of green.
“In the midst of slabs of stone,” he says, “this sprout is determined to grow,
and if you look closer, you’ll notice a small flower bud beginning to show.”
“Wow,” I exclaim, “flowers growing in the seams of concrete? I’m surprised how it thrives.
But tell me Father, without a garden anywhere around, how will it survive?”
With a smile he replies, “The plant represents you, my child, surrounded by the stone walls of prison.
Let this be a reminder to you that this is merely a temporary position.
You’re being taught valuable lessons here of patience, humility, and resilience.
Learning that you are strong enough to take on anything with a little bravery and perseverance.
One doesn’t need a garden to grow, you just simply need the soil.
And with the occasional watering you can conquer anything amidst turmoil.
You are might and determined just like this little plant.
I am proud of you and believe in you even when you think you can’t.
When things get you down, dig deep and find your strength,
and you can overcome any obstacle instead of keeping them at arm’s length.
Now you see why I believed in you all these years?”
With his final question he hugged me and that’s when I broke into tears.
“Yes,” I answered, “now I can truly see,
that beauty can be found anywhere and I’m rediscovering it in me.” | ST