This past week has brought about some heavy leaves

the kind that soaks your jeans and squishes in between your toes

wet autumn socks

often in heartache we are reminded that

our collective stories are meant to endure challenges

five steps backwards it often seems

with small steps forward

just when we think the world is on track

we are reminded it isn't

when love endures we simultaneously ask

is love enough?

Trying so hard 

but failing too

But I suppose if life had no challenges

we would lose the fight within us

and it's the fight that creates passion

love kindness and gratitude

perhaps humanity and progress aren't ever going to be linear

afterall, it's the problems that exist that create solutions moving forward 

we become more reflective and a better human species because of the collective fight

for where would our passions lie

if there was only light?