What a beautiful and moving story. Thank you for being so courageous and vulnerable to write and share her - your body's disintegration, your time in the dark, your herd's deaths, and the heron. The heron!
Heron stayed.
I, too, very much understand those in the dark times, the agonies of autoimmune illness, and how much easier it is to embrace the dark when I am on the other side, into the seedlings' new life. Thank you for letting us journey into the dark with you.
This poem has been my companion in my darkness. It might speak to you.
Thank you so much for this reflection. You have tenderly articulated the grief and the losses, and the comfort that can come too. I’m so sorry for the loss of your beloved herd and the physical limitations that you’re experiencing. I’m glad heron came to sit and pray with you. I work with cancer patients, many of whom have lost the freedom of doing things that brought structure and joy to their lives. I will share your reflection with some of them.
"I wondered then what had prompted me to do so, as I can feel shy about letting others, who may not understand my spirituality, observe any ceremony or ritual." Thank you for sharing your vulnerability and helping to normalise all our own storm twisting branch spiritualities.
Whew! Tears running down my face at this rich and lovely story. It saddens me to know of your physical pain. With my ongoing pain, I may not understand the depth of your challenges, but I know that it wearies the body and soul. Also, it is hard to watch our animals grieve so deeply for the loss of their 4-legged companions. And yet, your magnificent beauty shines through.
Dear Polly,
What a beautiful and moving story. Thank you for being so courageous and vulnerable to write and share her - your body's disintegration, your time in the dark, your herd's deaths, and the heron. The heron!
Heron stayed.
I, too, very much understand those in the dark times, the agonies of autoimmune illness, and how much easier it is to embrace the dark when I am on the other side, into the seedlings' new life. Thank you for letting us journey into the dark with you.
This poem has been my companion in my darkness. It might speak to you.
Absolutely Clear by Shams al-Din Hafiz
Don't surrender your loneliness
So quickly.
Let it cut more deep.
Let it ferment and season you
As few human
Or even divine ingredients can.
Something missing in my heart tonight
Has made my eyes so soft,
My voice
So tender,
My need of God
Absolutely
Clear.
This is so achingly beautiful. 💕
Thank you so much for this reflection. You have tenderly articulated the grief and the losses, and the comfort that can come too. I’m so sorry for the loss of your beloved herd and the physical limitations that you’re experiencing. I’m glad heron came to sit and pray with you. I work with cancer patients, many of whom have lost the freedom of doing things that brought structure and joy to their lives. I will share your reflection with some of them.
The symbolism and realism shimmer in your writing to deepen my understanding of liminal space. Thank you. Be kind to yourself in your grief and loss.
"I wondered then what had prompted me to do so, as I can feel shy about letting others, who may not understand my spirituality, observe any ceremony or ritual." Thank you for sharing your vulnerability and helping to normalise all our own storm twisting branch spiritualities.
Whew! Tears running down my face at this rich and lovely story. It saddens me to know of your physical pain. With my ongoing pain, I may not understand the depth of your challenges, but I know that it wearies the body and soul. Also, it is hard to watch our animals grieve so deeply for the loss of their 4-legged companions. And yet, your magnificent beauty shines through.