Maintenance

The fourth stage of change. I would name it something other than maintenance. I would much rather see it in terms of connection, of weaving it into the whole. This is perhaps a more spiritual way of looking at it, but then again, I am a priest, and this is the way I come at things. Maintenance is the final stage of change. I wonder if there should be a fifth stage which carries it even further.

What a boring term

For the final stage of change.

I would name it

Perhaps

Weaving:

Finding the place

In the warp and the woof

Where this change fits;

Finding the place

Where the weaving is not whole

Without it;

Finding the place

We would miss

Were it not present;

Finding the place

Others would say

You

Are not You

Without it.
This is way more than
Cookies and milk,
Way more than one or two
Atta boy
Atta girl
This involves
A whole community
Gathered around the table
Woven together.

Action

Action. Stage three. The first stage others might see, even though we have been considering it a long while. This is the stage for which the world gives some credit. Action is the only stage which allows reimbursement of most any sort. Two cookies and milk. So much work already under the bridge, over the dam. So much work to be acknowledged. Two cookies and milk.

The first step

Outside the box 

We have been living in;

Or perhaps the first step

Outside the box

We have been dying in;

The first step other people

Might see

When they are watching.

Of course we started

So long ago

And now

And now

Perhaps we hear

A duet or a trio

Of

Atta boy

Atta girl

Two cookies

And milk

And then

Keep coming back.

Contemplation

The second stage of change. Note that nothing has happened yet externally, yet really this is letting in the possibility of change. We all do this. All of us. All the time. Watch the questions come and go. Answer some of those questions, yet most will not be answered until we approach stage three.

Maybe things might be different.

What would they look like?

What would they sound like?

What would they taste like?

Smell like?

Feel like?

What if I fail?

What if nothing happens?

What if I succeed?

What does success even look like?

Sound like?

Taste like?

Smell like?

Feel like?

When do I begin?

What about next year?

Next month?

Next week?

Tomorrow?

Now?

Atta boy

Atta girl

Two cookies

Let’s meet next week

How’s next week for you?

Stages

Everything is done, one step at a time.  The anteater and me... we are ready to go home.

I complete the next stage

Of leaving:

Pack my suitcase,

Dirty clothes in half,

A range of things

In the other half

Including the anteater.

He often goes with me

On trips.

I almost brought him

To Iona last year.

Anteater packed,

The computer will be the last thing,

Once this is finished.

Now I sit in the hotel room

Writing

The next stage before I leave.

The suitcase waits

At the door,

The anteater safely inside.

We are ready

To go home.