I have been thinking a lot about reciprocity and mutuality lately, and in particular our interconnection with one another.

The well-being of one is inextricably linked to the well-being of all.

Today, I was reminded of a beautiful story by Robin Wall Kimmerer in her book Braiding Sweetgrass. (You need to get ahold of this book!)

As a botanist, a citizen of the Potawatomi Nation and a wise woman who sees deeply and clearly, Kimmerer’s writing regularly brings me to tears.

When I ran across her reflection about berries today. I was given pause once again. She write about how berries teach us that all flourishing is mutual. “The moral covenant of reciprocity calls us to honor our responsibilities for all we have.”

Her words drew me back to some of my own words, a poem I wrote a few years back (on All Saints Day 2016)…

We Are One

From afar
We are connected
We are one

With those who have gone before us
With those who have paved the way
We are one

With those who share
A common heart
A common work
We are one

With those who cannot claim us
With those who push away and separate from us
We are one

With those we cannot claim
With those we push away and separate from
We are one

Where there is understanding
Where there is no understanding
Beyond understanding
We are one

We are one
Held and woven and incorporated
Together
We are one.