Making Progress

The simplest approach
to the remaking of the world is to
let go of the tug of war

between past and future
and let Now happen: unavoidably,
there will be pain.

Someone holding on too tightly will fall,
become bruised and filthy and angry.
Someone’s going to make a lot of noise.

It happens each time we do this,
and it doesn’t matter that it happens.
It has to be “we,” and it has to be “now.”

and there will always be tears.
Even if nothing’s being done.  Even if
it’s still the same old world as always,

there will be tears.  Trying to pretend
that no one ever cries is dishonest,
avoiding change to prevent crying

is being dishonest with ourselves.
We just have to let go the rope
and fall if we’re ever going to stand up again.