Something's always hurting ... and something's always healing ... (Hexagram 18, WOUNDEDNESS)


Over the Mountains


Maybe someone stumbles across that child
lost weeks ago, now chilled and unconscious but breathing.
Maybe a friendly wanderer saved the child
for awhile, but had to go on, and this is the end.

(The world we all came from reaches out; its trees
embrace; its rocks come down ready to cover
us again. Moss clings to the feet and climbs
carefully, protecting its own. It wants us back.)

Now people carry the child, warm him;
"Save him," they say. Then he stirs and opens his eyes.
He doesn't want what he sees. He closes his eyes.
The slow tide of the forest takes him away.

(This doesn't happen just once; it happens again and again,
to the lost, to searchers and parents, to you, to me.)


~ William Stafford

Comments

Jan said…
I really needed this about woundedness. I love the painting, too. Thank you.
Jaliya said…
Jan, you're welcome xo
Renee said…
Jaliya you have a beautiful blog. This picture and the poem are both amazing.

I saw pictures of your trinity and they are beautiful.

Love Renee xoxo

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