The Courage to Touch
The active ingredient in our hands is Touch
Touch to release feelings.
Touch to move forward.
Touch to soothe.
Touch to heal.
Touch to release.
Touch to connect
in ways words cannot
Touch is the beginning of movement
toward someone
toward something
Touch decides
what to hold,
what to keep close
Touch allows all things
to move toward completeness.
And yet—
Fear blocks Touch
Notice the next time
you want to touch something unknown,
something separated from you.
Notice how fear rises
and stops your movement—
how it asks you to pull back.
But breathe.
Touch through the fear.
Touch through the pause
For touch is the moment
that begins the movement—
activating the essential ingredient
of our hands:
Touch.
by Darlene Dunn in the book, The Intention of Love, by ZenJen Brown. You can download this anthology for free HERE.
Invitation: “Touch allows all things …”
A Commons Practice
We build community by showing up for one another.
Communities aren’t built all at once. They grow through small acts of welcome, curiosity, generosity, and presence.
Whether you leave a comment, join a Community Table, or simply carry today’s reflection into your day, you’re helping to weave the Commons.
→ There’s a place for you at Community Table.
Darelene Dunn McCloud is a poet. She has written, God’s Little Inspirations. After retiring in 2021 at the age of 60, she discovered an unexpected passion for writing. Over the past years, she has immersed herself in writing classes, open mic events, and supportive writing communities, all while discovering her unique voice. She looks forward to sharing her stories with readers, one book at a time.
Darlene Dunn McCloud is featured in the video below.
If you are enjoying The Community Table and would like to support our work consider making a donation. While the offerings on the Community Table will always be free - we appreciate any support you can provide to continue helping us set the table for creating community.
We will meet for the Community Table every Monday at 4:30 pm or 8:00 pm (EST) - Go to our calendar at this link for details: https://courageouscommons.com/events/
July Courageous Citizen
Dr. Paul Farmer
For our July Americans Who Tell the Truth feature, we chose Dr. Paul Farmer because he spent his life living into the belief that we have a moral responsibility to accompany those who suffer. He didn’t simply talk about equity. He embodied it. Whether someone lived in a remote village or a place forgotten by the rest of the world, he believed no one should be beyond the reach of care.
https://americanswhotellthetruth.org/portraits/dr-paul-farmer/
Some distances are not measured in miles but in the hesitation between reaching out and holding back. This poem gently reminds us what can happen when courage takes that one small step. Beautiful.
A lovely meditation on a primary sense.