A reflection on Yes

I often find myself, standing outside in the parking lot, perhaps, counseling others to say no to invitations that they don't feel called to accept. Yeses are important. But so is the no which leaves room for the full-throated yes.

While I believe

In the importance

Of saying yes:

To my beloved 

To my children

To my cat

To the bunch of pussy-willows

When they finally appear

In the spring;

While I believe

In the importance

Of yes,

I know some yeses

Leave no space

For the yes

Which must be explored,

Must be considered,

Must be heard,

A call sometimes

Out of the wild:

It requires an answering assent,

A joining in the pack

Baying at the moon

A full-throated yes.

It simply drowns out

The others.