Jared Won't Get Out of the Van

A poem

The group is waiting
but Jared won’t get out of the van.
Now the women are arguing
because Jared won't get out of the van.
“He ruins everything.”
(This wasn’t part of their plan.)
“I’m depressed — extremely depressed.”
Because Jared won’t get out of the van.

The group leader is on the phone.
He's making arrangements 
to take them home 
because Jared won’t get out of the van.

But is it a matter of won’t
when what you want is
caught in your throat?
It seems Jared won’t get out of the van,
but maybe Jared simply can’t.

---

Well, I suppose this is for Jared, wherever he is. Some days getting out of the van is as simple as stepping out the door, and some days passing that threshold is too awful for our inner self to allow. The inner experience may not be understood but it doesn’t make it less real. And what would help from those around us in that experience? Not frustration or chiding or scheming but completely and terribly inconveniencing compassion. Certain things are not so important (I remind myself after an entire school year of near dragging my child out the door to get to school on time). Easier written than done.

- Josh