Thursday, March 25, 2010

A wild night.


These are Mary Oliver’s words from The Journey:

It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.

These are mine:

It was October, 1987, the evening was dark and dense with rain and wind. What had started as a gentle breeze was now the Great Storm that dragged dustbins across gardens, uprooted trees and sent branches flying. Roof tiles littered the air. Across an ocean my dear father-in-law was rushed off to hospital with a stroke, destruction lingered in our house as a bad smell. That is when I felt the pain. It started somewhere in my lower back and continued full circle. Soon I set off for hospital myself.

But my pain was a good one. After some hours of pushing, pressing, sweating and breathing a boy lay peacefully in my arms, sucking.

I have often wondered about this: When you are surrounded by darkness, are you allowed to laugh? And whilst giggling and having fun, can you stop for a moment to feel the pain?

And yes, he was fine. My father-in-law I mean. We are off tomorrow, across an ocean, to visit him and his dear, dear wife.

4 comments:

  1. Laugh into the darkness. Dare. What else is there and who is there to say no?

    Have a wonderful visit.

    xo
    erin

    ReplyDelete
  2. Grete, found your blog from Beth Kephart's post today and LOVE your posts thus far. What a beautiful blog! Just added myself as a subscriber.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your words remind me of my birth experience. I love how you relate this wonderful poem to your life, how you're living into the poem. Thanks too for visiting my site. I am so happy we met through Beth's blog.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Erin -

    Who is there to say no, indeed......

    Melissa -

    Thanks for visiting!

    Cindy -

    Poetry is, contrary to our prejudices (mine as well!) - so REAL! The only way to read, I think, is to relate the words to life itself. I know of no other way.....

    Grete

    ReplyDelete