across the separating divide

different paths up the same mountain

as my colleagues and I each express 

the individual advisees we honor,

I am intrigued by how differently

each advisor expresses who they know,

and I am impressed with the power of each connection,

I believe each advisor “sees” the advisee truly

and has been there and been there for them 

in however the way could open,

no one can see a person from all the angles

through which we can lens ourselves:

what is important is to see true what each can see,

and to leap across the separating divide

with appreciation, with direction, with love,

for then we are there for them,

and they can be there for themselves.

by Henry H. Walker

June 3, ‘16