The last couple of weeks have brought both continued healing for me (Silver Lining) and bad news from lots of friends (e.g., cancer recurrence, divorce and even a death).
This poem represents to me the balance of pain and Silver Linings in life. I still believe that no matter what happens, even the worst of the worst, Silver Linings can be found.
to love life, to love it even
when you have no stomach for it
and everything you’ve held dear
crumbles like burnt paper in your hands,
your throat filled with the silt of it.
When grief sits with you, its tropical heat
thickening the air, heavy as water
more fit for gills than lungs;
when grief weighs you like your own flesh
only more of it, an obesity of grief,
you think, How can a body withstand this?
Then you hold life like a face,
no charming smile, no violet eyes,
and you say, yes, I will take you
I will love you, again.
– Ellen Bass
Hollye, I was sorry to hear all the bad news you had received. I love your continued positive attitude and your willingness to accept whatever life throws at you, with grace and your enduring spirit!
What an accurate description of grief (any kind) and how one should hold it, deal with it, and eventually let it gooooooooooooo!
CA
Thank you for this powerful poem, Hollye. The dichotomy of love and loss. If we allow ourselves to feel it, loss deepens us ~ makes us stronger, more loving and compassionate. To me, you embody this, Hollye.
Thank you for recommending the book, A State of Wonder.
Take care,
Kim
Love you.