Wisdom from Make Me Rain by Nikki Giovanni

 "We need poetry because it brings the light of love . . . love is the patience to forgive and go forth." (41)

"We are poetry. And poetry is us . . . It is the soil that keeps all of us growing. So that the lemons will fall from the tree. And Beyoncé can make Lemonade." (41)

"we plant love with patience." (53)

"I sincerely dislike that man who occupies the White House trying to take the love and faith of our athletes who are kneeling and asking the Constitution: 'Will you be mine?' It will always be a sign of Hope that the answer will be 'Yes.' We are not the folk who divorce. We have married for life." (69)

"Love never goes/There is only Transition" (70)

"Make Me Rain/Let me be a part/Of this needed change" (115)

What I want to remember from the beach

Thanksgiving: This beach experience is healing. Why? Because I had stopped believing that I am the most important person in my life. I had stopped following the airplane rule. Not on purpose, but for what felt like survival. In truth, there is no survival without the airplane rule. So, here's what I need to remember about the airplane rule:

• I need my "five to stay alive" -- movement, reading, writing, meditation, and sleep. I need them not as boxes to check, but as ways that I nurture and sustain my light. It is my light that I share with others, so it's not selfish to keep my cup filled. I need that to live my values. 
• I am loved. Everything about this trip is an expression of love. The idea, the hotel, the food. Love made manifest. 

New Year's:

• As soon as I arrived back here, I remembered how my spirit was reborn here last month.
• As much as I loved my first experience here, I knew it could be better if I were cozier, so this time I brought a robe and slippers, a fuzzy blanket for the couch, a candle. I could stay here forever!