Lightly child, lightly.

x-ray-butterflies-stomach

There will be no comets now,
no pointing star to lead you where you know you must go.

Look for smaller signs instead, the fine
disturbances of ordered things when suddenly
the rhythms of your expectation break
and in a moment’s pause another world
reveals itself behind the ordinary.

And one small detail out of place will be
enough to let you know: a missing ring,
a breath, a footfall or a sudden breeze,
a crack of light beneath a darkened door.

~ Dana Gioia, “The Stars Now Rearrange Themselves” from 99 Poems


Notes:

  • Poem: Who are you really, wanderer?. Photo:  themetapicture (Thank you Susan)
  • Prior “Lightly child, lightly” Posts? Connect here.
  • Post Title & Inspiration: Aldous Huxley: “It’s dark because you are trying too hard. Lightly child, lightly. Learn to do everything lightly. Yes, feel lightly even though you’re feeling deeply. Just lightly let things happen and lightly cope with them.”

9 thoughts on “Lightly child, lightly.”

  1. I got completely lost in the image. What kind of disease would manifest calcified butterfly-shapes in the abdomen? Are they sharp? Is this person dying? Is this what happens when worry (butterflies in the stomach) becomes chronic?

  2. These signs are precious and always lead me into the synchronicity and flow of life. We cannot see or feel these signs with a busy mind. Beautiful writing.

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