"SEEING THE OTHER" - a poem

                                Seeing the other



Easy was her name

Easy, pregnant at six months and abandoned.

Easy, adopted into our family, sharing our home, our space.

Renaming Easy an act of love and respect for the other.


Diva is her name

R.E.S.P.E.C.T. 

Respect her space, her behaviour, her needs. 

She is not property

She is not owned

Beloved companion, pushing her nose into my hand.


Diva is her name

Communication non-verbal

Attentiveness

Observation

                                                        Where does she walk?

                                                    Where does she look?

                                                Closing her eyes in trust. 


                                                    Diva is her name

                                                   My teacher

                                                        honing my skills and character

                                                    scratching our furniture

                                                   patience, sharing, tolerance, growing

                                                 My teacher purrs noisily.


                                                   Diva is her name.

                                                  She is Other

                                                    All creatures are Other

                                                     The earth is Other

                                                  God is Other

                                                      I communicate with the Other

                                                    I respect the Other

                                                   I make room for the Other

                                                   I learn from the Other

                                                   The Other changes me

                                                   I change the Other.


                                                     Easy was her name

                                                        Diva is her name. 

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