I.
\nPeople enter our lives at unexpected times
\nChanging us in profound ways . . .
\nA glance, a smile or frown,
\nA word — spoken or written —
\nAn act of kindness or harm.<\/p>\n
Some remain in our lives for a lifetime,
\n\u201cOthers\u201d for a moment.
\nWhatever it may be,
\nThe entry of \u201cothers\u201d into our lives
\nIs always an encounter of consequence,
\nNot to be treated lightly,
\nNor dismissed as chance.<\/p>\n
The entry into our lives of \u201cothers\u201d
\nIs to be pursued — explored, understood,
\nFor it is more than it seems,
\nIt is a sealing of minds, lives, and spirits.
\nIt is a connection.<\/p>\n
II.
\nI was blessed yesterday to meet a man
\n— A person of color \u2013
\nA man of quiet dignity,
\nHis years honed by life lived amidst
\nDoubts and uncertainties,
\nUnanwered questions,
\nA man — humble and sincere.<\/p>\n
I listened as he spoke of his life.
\nNot a frozen written narrative,
\nBut an unfolding of his heart.
\nGraceful words,
\nMagnified in meaning
\nBy the deliberate meter of his speech.
\nA sacred moment.<\/p>\n
The man spoke of his lifetime search — his longing
\nFor a home — not a house — but a home —
\nA place, anchor, refuge . . . \u00a0for his soul.
\nA grounded piece of earth,
\nUpon which he could stand,
\nPlant roots, grow, and become.
\nA place where he could say:
\n\u201cI am home.\u201d<\/p>\n
III.
\nI was changed by his words.
\nHe may never know this
\nUnless along the way,
\nHe finds this poem.
\nBut no more needs to be said.<\/p>\n
I will remember his lined face,
\nGentle voice,
\nDeep set eyes,
\nPeaceful countenance . . .
\nAll shaping the moment,
\nAffirming — forever —
\nThere is no \u201cother.\u201d
\nThank you, Clive.<\/p>\n
October 29, 2012<\/em><\/p>\n ____________________<\/em><\/p>\n Anthony Marsella, Ph.D., a \u00a0member of the TRANSCEND Network, is a past president of Psychologists for Social Responsibility, emeritus professor of psychology at the University of Hawaii, and past director of the World Health Organization Psychiatric Research Center in Honolulu. He is known nationally and internationally as a pioneer figure in the study of culture and psychopathology who challenged the ethnocentrism and racial biases of many assumptions, theories, and practices in psychology and psychiatry. In more recent years, he has been writing and lecturing on peace and social justice. He has published 15 edited books, and more than 250 articles, chapters, book reviews, and popular pieces. He can be reached at marsella@hawaii.edu<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" People enter our lives at unexpected times
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\nA glance, a smile or frown,
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