Recently, I heard an interview with Alok on the podcast, We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle. Their poem on joy is so powerful I want to share it with you. I had never heard of Alok, though my kids are fans. Alok is a poet, author, advocate, and a really interesting person. I’ll let you look Alok up to learn more about them. I’m also going to recommend you listen to the podcast. It was so moving and authentic. I won’t do Alok and their words justice so I’m just going to share their incredible poem.

Our Precarious Joy by Alok

feeling is dangerous because
it requires us to dwell in anguish,
rather than anesthetize it
(as if it never happened).

so many fear joy because they fear losing it.

they hate us because we live here — in this precarious joy —
and we have found preciousness, still.

it is far easier to desensitize ourselves to the world.
but what about the romance of living?
the tundra of grief, of striving, of becoming like
every breath is an invitation to another way of being?

what about the dignity of being?
i won’t settle for anything less.

i would rather weep than pretend.
i would rather be hated than be digestible.
i would rather be mirthful than meander around like
happiness is some rare ray of light piercing through my window.

it’s not that we are extra,
it’s that we are feeling
and you are not
(or rather, you refuse).

Joy requires living life open to all the feelings it brings both good and bad, but it's the only way to live fully and authentically. #joy #dignity #pride #LGBTQ Click To Tweet

Love,

Lisa Kaplin Psy. D. PCC