"Here is How It All Started" by Sharon Reed

It started as a shell and it cracked.

and once open it was frightened

and partially wanted to be in the shell again –

but the embryo inside grew astounding

grace and sought the light, the words

compassion, the gentle touch, the caring

yes, of another’s soul, the pulsing of another hand that

wouldn’t hurt and it felt the warmth

and the rhythm inside of that hand and

wanted more and stepped outside the shell

and the universe welcomed it with the

deepest of reverence for it had been waiting

for it ever since its birth