Jim Vick: Listen

Good Care

(Jim Vick)

2008-01-07

Written for a dear young friend I had to say goodbye to a couple years ago. I'm releasing it first here as my gift to her and to all the good friends I left behind in the north 2 years ago this month.

GOOD CARE
Copyright 2005 Jim Vick

I’m not that good at goodbyes,
and I guess that I give that away
with this flood in my eyes.
It feels like I’m saying farewell
to those who were
there for me as I maneuvered
my own private hell.
Though those roles were reversed for us two,
still I think that I’ve gained just as much as I’ve given to you.

There are some things I must say.
I’m hoping that
you’ll take them with you
as you go along on your way.
I’m putting them down with my pen,
hoping they’ll be here for you
to come back to now and then.
For we all have those moments of doubt.
And I know that you know
just what I am talking about.

Take you good care of that heart.
Nestled so deep in your center,
I think it’s the very best part
of the person that you have become:
so kind and caring and giving,
and yet so much bolder than some
in pushing yourself to be true
to what you believe
and to what truly matters to you.

And take you good care of that head.
It carries the wisdom and wonder
to get you through what lies ahead.
For though storms to ride out there will be,
you’ll sail your way through
on your open mind
and your clarity.

Always come back to your breath,
that soothing
and centering current
that separates life from death.
The deeper and fuller it grows,
the more centered you’ll be
in your living
and all your connections
with those
that you love.