10 Comments
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David Whyte's avatar

Sometimes what we learn from a parting of ways lies in the very sadness and poignancy of the leaving itself. Once so together, now so far apart and yet still somehow forever living in an unspoken parallel: what was brought into the world somehow still alive not only in our separate lives but also in what our former togetherness bequeathed to the world... DW

Korie's avatar

This is one of my favorites so far… I imagine the tree, the stump, the tree’s attempts to grow around it, becoming old and gnarled with age. I imagine that’s what all of us do.

Kim Williams, M.Div.'s avatar

“like the thirst

of everything

to find its true form”

That’s the whole poem right there. Wonderful.

Jan in NW FL's avatar

One of the best ever from you….struck home.

Georgena Felicia LPCC's avatar

Heavens! Tears flowed as I felt my bark twisting and turning - beautiful and mighty!

Laura Grevel's avatar

Beautiful poem! Really resonates with me. Thank you!

Neylân Gürel's avatar

“Each grow round the missed branch” —perfect, really 🥰

Gabriel B.'s avatar

A smaller travel-friendly House of Belonging feels exactly right for that book.

Ana McGovern's avatar

This is beautiful, I hear David Whyte reading it aloud in my head reminding me of all that has passed as I enter the last 3rd of my life.

In that

omniscient black eye

of witness

I see the dark no-growth

of what has passed

grown round by

what has come to pass,

looking at me

as if I could speak.

Nancy Delancey's avatar

lovely, sad and poignant. ❤️