I spent the holidays this year with my friend Patti, pictured in tiara here. We talked at length about taking life’s opportunities as they present themselves, and positioning ourselves to see them. I came home and found this poem. It’s perfect.
Either you will
go through this door
or you will not go through.
If you go through
there is always the risk
of remembering your name.
Things look at you doubly
and you must look back
and let them happen.
If you do not go through
it is possible
to live worthily
to maintain your attitudes
to hold your position
to die bravely
but much will blind you,
much will evade you,
at what cost who knows?
The door itself
makes no promises.
It is only a door.
-Adrienne Rich
{ 1 trackback }
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I happened on your blog, following a link from Andrew’s. ( A bit back, Andrew was a major encouraging catalyst in my life, a reminder to go for one’s dreams.) Rather sent a shivver up my spine – your posts on living with abandon, Lugano, the Adrienne Rich poem quite hit home. It’s been a long time since I stood in front of a door like she describes, but I’m there now. After 30 years in upstate NY I visited Hawaii and now yearn to uproot and move there. You write about allergies; similarly, i feel healthier there, more alive – not a thing to turn your back on. I have a huge amount to uproot, little money, and a partner who’s not ready to even consider the possibility — but I believe that if you want something enough, you can usually find a way.
Good luck and fair fortune!
— Kate
(gvolans@earthlink.net)