Creating Islands of Sanity - Maya Spector

[Lawrence Robinson]

Creating Islands of Sanity


Yes, we are swimming
in an ocean of chaos.
Who or what can save us
from drowning?

Only we can.

Wise ones have counseled us -
when we find ourselves in dark times,
create islands of sanity.
This guidance brings to mind 
the Native story of Sky Woman's
fall to earth, and how 
the small and humble muskrat 
was the only animal able 
to dredge mud up 
from the ocean floor, 
and how Sky Woman 
patted it onto turtle's back, 
creating land on which to rest, 
an island, now known 
as Turtle Island.

The islands of sanity which we are
charged to bring to light could be
akin to that of the story -
sanctuaries, refuges, firm ground 
on which to set our feet -
where we can hold one another's hands,
where we will not drown,
where we might plant something new,
where we can allow our tender hearts 
some respite.

And in our tender hearts
is where we must begin,
to look for and abide in
our very own islands of sanity.
They are a given, 
unquestioningly present,
born with us,
and the proper place 
to begin, heading out
to find and to create 
islands of sanity 
in our wounded world.

	- Maya Spector
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