Dear Earth, relationship is complicated.

Ralph came to live with us a fortnight ago. Our dog Aiko loves other dogs whenever we meet them when we’re out, and I hadn’t quite appreciated how it might be for her to have a new sibling.

Someone who takes her toys from her mouth. Someone who runs to meet and greet us first. Someone who has the audacity to jump up onto HER GREEN CHAIR.

Life is full of knots and tangles. One way of making things less complicated is to separate ourselves off. I see myself doing this all the time. I distract myself from the suffering of other people. I shove the hurting parts of myself into cupboards. I blunt the grief and fear I feel about your predicament, darling Earth.

Aiko and Ralph have been involved in negotiations all fortnight. There has been a lot of play wrestling, protracted discussion about how best to share the antler, and some pretty stern rebuking. It’s a lot to adjust to, and they each have their peccadilloes (as do we all). Things are settling. The growl-warnings are few and far between. They run happy rings around each other in the garden, explore on walks two-abreast, lie close to each other. This morning Ralph napped with his head on Aiko’s stomach.

Dear Earth, help me to come into closer relationship with all of you. Help me to weather the storming. Help me remember that intimacy takes us through discomfort and into an open, sunny field.

Love, Satya <3