No one can ameliorate your suffering It’s all yours I can only sit inside of your suffering with you And so I will sit low to the ground where your sorrow seeps through the earth through cracks made by your rage I will let your heart beat like an ancient…

I wanted what you wanted Until we wanted different things It turns out I’m no good at small talk I prefer deep, muddy, messy talk that takes place at kitchen tables and under the stars late at night I was starving all of the time for poetry and driving on dirt roads…

​​​​During one of the worst periods of my life, I turned toward painting and writing without strategy, knowledge, skill or talent. Creating was an impulse. I converted my garage into a studio after painting one large painting. I built myself a sanctuary — a place to practice, get messy and…

My mother grew up in poverty on a sugar plantation in Hawaii. She worked hard her entire life just to survive. We never had money when I was growing up, but we always had style and a clean, well-appointed home. Poverty was not a barrier to finding beauty in unexpected…

We have a lot of ways to talk about executive presence in business. “Owning the room, “commanding attention,” and my least favorite, “swagger,” are all references to executive presence. Fortunately, these terms are evolving as we evolve and understand the need for authenticity, high quality communication, and inclusion. In addition…

Before the bones fused I put my lips against that tender dip in your skull that exposed your vulnerability and utter dependence upon me I inhaled that tenderness knowing it would not last and knowing there would be days I grieved desperately for its return You may find Ann marie Houghtailing’s visual work on Instagram at trailsnotpaths

Surrender is not defined by war alone Surrender is not a white flag or knees in the mud Surrender is not the beggar you think Surrender is acceptance It is the act of letting go It is powerful and requires courage Death will come It will take you Or worse still, someone…

First Set down your shield If your sword is nearby throw that as far away as you can Now get low to the ground Listen Not just with your ears Listen with your eyes and your skin and your organs As if you are about to pet a wild rabbit Breathe Listen some more Now look in the eyes of the wounded This will be hard Now you can speak Say, thank you for telling me You are brave, my darling I am so sorry that I harmed you

I was a child But not for very long Just nine glorious years My sister died and the universe shifted My gentle, single mother who had always made me the center of her world disappeared I was replaced by grief in one swift blow The day she made the animal…