Discovering my Tribe

At Last
A sense of Belonging
Of Acceptance
And Understanding,
I cried all week
With joy and relief.

The old familiar feelings
Of being different
Not fitting in
The odd one out
An alien
All stripped away.

Here I could be myself
Here I could feel okay

Ears that know how to Listen
From the Heart,
Space to be myself
No need for a mask
No need to play a part.

No bitchiness
No victimisation
Or malice
Judgement
Or discrimination

Just Support
Encouragement
And Nurturing,
Self Empowerment
The ambition.

A sense of Harmony
Amid difference
And disagreement,
Acknowledgement
Of different points of view,
Of uniqueness
Me and You
Not Us and Them.

Community
Sharing our lives
Our essence
No pretence
Just Presence
The Here and Now,
Organic and flowing
Embracing difference
In a natural way,
With Space
To change the schedule,
Change the rules
For all to have their say.

Personal Growth
The Roots,
Development
The Core,
A Safe Place
To have Adventure,
Face Challenge,
Explore.

I found my Tribe
In ECC
The Edward Carpenter
Community.

John Tyler