You have loved others your whole life. Now Derek Walcott and I are reminding you to love you, too. After all, aren't you the one who persevered and made it this far? Feast, reflect, and keep going.
Love After Love
by Derek Walcott
The time will come
when, with elation,
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door, in your own mirror,
and each will smile at the other’s welcome,
and say, sit here. Eat.
Love After Love
by Derek Walcott
The time will come
when, with elation,
you will greet yourself arriving
at your own door, in your own mirror,
and each will smile at the other’s welcome,
and say, sit here. Eat.
You will love again the stranger who was your self.
....
(Read the rest — and listen to the poem being read by Jon Kabat-Zinn — here, at The Marginalian. Or go here, to NPR, to hear another lovely reading by Tom Hiddleston.)
18 comments:
Karen, how timely for me. I turned 50 this year and, while I’m not elderly and should have many years ahead of me, I definitely identify with this sentiment. Time teaches, and this fact is a delightful one to learn.
I tend to do a lot of remembering these days. I love Walcott's advice to "feast on your life." Thanks for sharing this important reminder.
Oh, how touching this is for me! "Greet yourself arriving at your own door." Lovely. I think people don't focus enough or deny the gifts that come with the gift of getting older. Thank you for sharing this amazing Walcott poem!
Feast, reflect, and keep going. Age brings many gifts, I find. The biggest, maybe: I worry a lot less about what people think...and I don't have the time/energy/patience to be anyone but myself! xo
Thank you, Karen, a loving note from you and from Walcott makes this cloudy morning bright!
Lovely reading Walcott's poem again. I can't be reminded enough of his truth, so eloquently stated.
I love this poem. Love "you will love again the stranger who was your self" - such encouragement.
oh, my goodness..this brought tears to my eyes. Thank you, Karen. This poem is exactly what I needed right now.
Lou, time teaches indeed. :)
My pleasure!
Delighted to share it, Janice. Yes, so many gifts that come with the years.
Irene, it's so freeing, isn't it? :)
❤️ :)
Jama, yes, it's always a welcome and lovely reminder, isn't it?
Yes, things to look forward to. :)
Oh, Linda, I'm so glad. ❤️ xo
Wow! I love this line: "You will love again the stranger who was your self."
Yes, so good!
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