Yes, Of Course It Hurts Thu, Jan 26, 2017
Yes, of course it hurts when buds are breaking. Why else would the springtime falter? Why would all our ardent longing bind itself in frozen, bitter pallor? After all, the bud was covered all the winter. What new thing is it that bursts and wears? Yes, of course it hurts when buds are breaking, hurts for that which grows and that which bars.
Yes, it is hard when drops are falling. Trembling with fear, and heavy hanging, cleaving to the twig, and swelling, sliding – weight draws them down, though they go on clinging. Hard to be uncertain, afraid and divided, hard to feel the depths attract and call, yet sit fast and merely tremble – hard to want to stay and want to fall.
Then, when things are worst and nothing helps the tree's buds break as in rejoicing, then, when no fear holds back any longer, down in glitter go the twig's drops plunging, forget that they were frightened by the new, forget their fear before the flight unfurled – feel for a second their greatest safety, rest in that trust that creates the world.
I thought I would share one of my favorite poems today! It's called Yes, Of Course It Hurts by Karin Boye, a Swedish poet and novelist from the early 1900s. It's a beautiful and vivid portrayal of the fear that can hold us back from letting go or from taking a leap of faith - even when the end result will be something good or beautiful. The fear of the unknown can be #real. I love this reminder that though things may be hard and we may be fearful of what's to come, we may end up being be like the drops who forget their fear.
Also, here's a cool poster adaptation of this poem because isn't graphic design just the greatest? (Biased, I know).
