If you choose
to extend a hand
to your shadow
let it not be
out of guilt
or for recrimination
but rather the birthing
of a wider compassion
toward a humanity
cruelly given
to division
and scorn.© 2014 Dennis Ference
My new book of original inspirational verses, From the Water’s Edge, is now available and can be ordered from https://www.createspace.com/6040109 and http://www.amazon.com/dp/1530558018.
Merging Traffic 
I love this! It’s incredibly beautiful. 🙂
Thanks much, Victor. Peace! –Dennis
A noble sentiment, Dennis
Peace and Love
john
Thanks, John. Blessings and peace to you! –Dennis
You have a real gift at writing words of wisdom, Dennis. If I tried writing this way, my kids would bust me all day long with amendments 🙂
Thanks, Laine! Part of this expression comes from searching out other people’s quotes for ten years for posting on a bulletin board at work as a daily inspiration. Fell in love with trying to capture meaningful thoughts in a few words. Thanks for the comment. Peace! –Dennis
read this poem first without the last four lines, thinking that was it (where the page break was). I liked it. then I thought to click and realized there were four more lines and liked that also. but it becomes a new poem! great, two poems in one!
Gotta take another look at it from that double perspective. Have a great day, Phil. Thanks.
It is only through the act of embracing and accepting our shadow, that we can succeed in harnessing its strength and managing its destruction. This is the message Yoda conveyed to Luke Skywalker at his failure at the cave on Degobah.
Thanks for the allusion to Star Wars. So much good stuff in that series.
True simplicity. Beautiful.
Thank you. -Dennis