Thursday, April 2, 2015

To live in this world

Growing up
we had twelve addresses,
anyone would have
taken us for nomads.

Every place, every person
we knew and loved,
was left behind again and again,
all to be resumed time after time.

Home was separation, wholeness.
Food was the basic understanding
that nothing was ours to keep,
that all things are transient.




The title is a line from Mary Oliver's poem In Blackwater Woods which I  really adore.

14 comments:

  1. This is a valuable lesson to learn early in life.

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  2. I like "separation, wholeness" together, not really juxtaposed, but one belonging to the other or leading to the other. Nice!

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  3. Ooh, I like this one! Thanks.

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  4. I really relate to this, Kenia. Beautifully done.

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  5. Anonymous4/02/2015

    I relate as well and I too love "Home was separation, wholeness" It still feels that way and it isn't a bad thing at all.

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  6. I have been a nomad too, and really resonate with this poem. A powerful lesson to learn so young: that nothing is ours to keep. Sigh.

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  7. Beautiful way to express this type of existence, Kenia...wisdom resides therein.

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  8. luv the fact that "separation" and "wholeness" co-habited; have a creative month

    much love...

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  9. Short but very complete and palpable. Thanks, Kenia.

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  10. I know this as an adult, but not as a child. I can't imagine- I bet you adapt easier than most~ I hope you have roots and your home is filled with love~ @>--------------

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  11. That must have been hard. All those new schools and new kids... Beautifully written.

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  12. A lesson learned so young. We an only hold on by letting go.

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  13. It must be a devastating lifestyle for a child.

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  14. still learning that... ~

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