Be the giraffe
with feet planted firmly on solid ground
yet with an all-inclusive view.
This view is not ‘Pollyannaish’, however,
because it is all-inclusive.
Seeing what does work does not mean
the giraffe’s vision is clouded to what doesn’t.
But regardless of what is happening around her
the giraffe doesn’t forget she’s a giraffe.
So even those who run circles through her legs
do not unsteady her.
Fear and blame can be swirling among those
who are trying to find their way out the forest
but from where the giraffe is looking
she knows that if they too will only lift their heads
they will then see what she sees.
The all-inclusive view
sees the fear and blame swirling
but does not get caught up in it.
Without judgment of any of it,
as the giraffe stands steadily free of it,
gradually, gradually, gradually
others begin to wonder at the steadiness of her legs
and then –
they begin to straighten themselves up.