Maybe, just maybe – For Hannah

I’m so sorry that you saw no other way out, no hope, no reason to carry on.
I’m sorry that the darkness engulfed you, wrapped you deep inside,
suffocating you with your loneliness and despair.
I’m sorry that no-one was able to hear your pain,
to meet you and guide you back to firm land.

I’m sorry I had no idea what you were going through,
that you didn’t let me know and I didn’t ask.
I’m sorry that we live in a world where so many live with such bleakness and blackness inside of them

I hope you’ve found peace now.
I hope that your family and friends will be able to comfort and support each other.
I hope that we all start to wake up from the collective nightmare we’ve created of separation and independence,
of locking up the doors to our hearts even more securely than our homes.
I hope that one day kindness and compassion will be held up as the highest of aspirations,
that we’ll be able to turn towards our own suffering and that of others
with open arms and hearts.

And then maybe, just maybe
our world can be a place of connection and support
that love and vulnerability will not be sneered at or denied
but seen as the essence of each of us
and the way out of separation and suffering.

And maybe, just maybe
we can all start to heal the violence and pain and hurt and anger
And maybe, just maybe
Love and connection and support
Can blossom and grow.

This is what I hope.