Written in 2019, this poem speaks to the power that comes from individuals coming together be it in relationships, as neighbours, or as community members. A life so much richer with more than one, and as a ‘we’.
You could be my neighbour; you could be my friend
You could be a colleague who makes my hair stand on end
You could be my lover or a family member I’ve just met
Yet you and I together give meaning to the human alphabet.
You and I were born into this world one at a time
Having no idea what laid ahead or what mountains we would have to climb
What a surprise it must have been to find others already here on earth
To love, protect and hold us while giving you and I a sense of worth.
It would be a lonely life journey if you and I chose to be alone
Bereft of meaning as any legacy of our being would be unknown
You and I complete each other and help the other to learn and grow
By valuing each other, you and I are no longer a John or Janie Doe.
I make a difference by who I am and also what I do
As long as I live and breathe, I change the world in a way no one can undo
Yet the power of you and I together is like a force that can’t be beat
By joining hearts, minds and bodies, we accomplish many outstanding feats.
You are your own person with special gifts only you can bring
For each of us is uniquely different like a new flower in the Spring
With the gifts we have been given, you and I make the world a better place
And as we nurture and appreciate each other, we honour God’s holy grace.
I love our moments and life together, and do my best to be there for you
My promise is to continue until it is time to say adieu
I am grateful for your presence and the comfort you provide to me
As long as you are with me, you and I make an awesome we.