Blog Repost: A Poem on Patience
Lauren Cono, 129 PCT - TCCS
A Poem on Patience
What I am learning is thatAt its core, Peace Corps is about patience.Patience cradles peace in its lettersAnd peace rocks back and forth to the rhythm of patience. Patience to work toward sustainability and long-term success.Patience to not see results immediately.Patience to soak in a slower pace of life. Patience to put your known world on hold.Patience to embrace a whole new world.Patience to stay long enough to call it home. Patience to speak a new language byPatiently listening to tonal nuances,Patiently learning a new syntactical structure,Patiently communicating with limited words,And patiently swallowing those complex questions burning in your throat. Patience to let water flood the heartspace.Patience to let time nourish the seedling of personal growth. Patience to start everyday anew. Patience smiles at its own mistakes.Patience does not see clearly, does not know entirely.Patience accepts that is vulnerable, completely. A Peace Corps volunteer must have the patience to dive deepDeep into ice cold cultural watersDeeper than the most stubborn icebergDeep into murkiness, the muck and the mireDeep to the unknown…Down down downUntilFinallyAfter a deep immersion into descriptive observation, non-judgmental interpretation, culturally aware verification and well-informed evaluation,To emergeTo break through to the surfaceTriumphantly holding a rarely understood cultural gemTo inhale fresh air with gratitude, with grace, with gumptionAnd with this new breathA new breath full of relief and appreciation for the beautiful challenges in lifeEnjoying the momentJust for a momentA moment enough to catch her breathAndDive deep down again.
To read more posts from Lauren Cono visit her blog, Learning How to Lern