Poetry for the Soul: "Any Time" by William Stafford (1967)
Daddy, tell me your best secret.
(I have woven a parachute out of everything broken;
my scars are my shield;
and I jump, daylight or dark, into any country,
where as I descend I turn native and stumble
into terribly human speech and wince recognition.)
It can take years to unpack and process our lived experiences – painful experiences we have seen, heard, felt, and sensed. Unfortunately, some of us never do because we are not afforded the possibility or getting too caught up, distracted, or trapped within our circumstances.
Prompts like Stafford’s words can be powerful vehicles to externalize what has been left unsaid. Indeed, our written word, whether prompted or unprompted, can become the vehicle through which we tell our story, honor our truth, and uncover our soul’s longings.
It seems like yesterday when I first started to weave my parachute. Writing helped me unpack and find meaning behind my experiences. For we cannot undo the past, yet we can acknowledge it, mourn it, honor it, and figure out how to move through it so that it finds meaning in the present and hope in the future.
Warmly,
Anny
Kindly note: The information included in this blog is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for mental health services. Please consult with a qualified professional to determine the appropriateness of the information for your own life experiences or if you have any questions.
