Sunday 5 December 2010

The Visitor

This being human is a guest house. 
Every morning a new arrival...
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
~ Rumi

Winter is upon us, snow upon the doorsteps. The lantern light near the willow tree welcomes so many visitors to our home. Friends of old who bring India anew, and friends from next door who discuss their allotments, and friends of my brothers from Japan and Singapore, and now, my very first blogger, that mysterious apparition of faraway words transformed into a person. And suddenly from Las Vegas, Nevada, Terresa Hall Wellborn of The Chocolate Chip Waffle fame, manifested here, on the cobbled streets of St Edwards' Passage, in the Haunted Bookstore where we discussed poetry, in Auntie's Tea Shop, where Terresa ate a Full English Breakfast for lunch, into the gloaming of the high vaulted chapel at Kings, and then in mindful silence at Kettle's Yard, where shafts of sunlight touch Brancusi and Gaudier-Brzeska resting, at peace, at home.

My life, this year, seems to have been a thoroughfare of meetings, arrivals and departures. Sometimes I feel a nomad in my own life. A couch surfer, surfing in my own home. Hello goodbye hello goodbye. And in between, Addenbrookes' Hospital: the other root, the other home. I write this on the eve of my own little departure from the lantern light and the willow tree, to the needles and the pulsing infusion that is keeping the Wolf at bay.

first image from Magpie Tales

16 comments:

Lele said...

What a hectic year Outstanding fighter & writer (your 'nask' name should feature all of these and maybe couple of more qualities..right? ;)). Funny how I see your post lately. As I´m up until late due to my grad schools applications (btw, just getting nuts!), I always click on twitter´s echophon for a break and tcharannn..new post from you. You cannot imagine what a happy break for me to read a fresh and inspiring content! such a gift! thank you and thank you for sharing Rumi´s poem (love him!) hope you are back home and feeling well. xx Elenice

Sherry Blue Sky said...

I have been reading your words, so full of life and light, all evening. You are an amazement, Warrior Woman, that in the midst of struggle you create such inspiring work and lift your readers up into the sun of your spirit. May all go well for you. I will be following your journey from Across the Pond:)

I have always been drawn to stories of people who rise above their circumstance with grace and thus inspire others. In my reading tonight, I see that I have found such a one in you.

It is cold tonight and the snow has crept down the mountains, very beautiful to look at - soon it will likely be on the ground as well, but not for long.

Elizabeth said...

What a beautiful blog you have -- I'm visiting from The Chocolate Chip Waffle and intend to spend some time here, poking around --

Ruth said...

As I told Terresa at her post about your meeting, I just rejoice at the meeting of two of my favorite poetesses, who have taken me into heart places where only sighs can speak, echoing the timeless birds of Cambridge. I am very happy for you.

Helen said...

I am pleased to make your acquaintance ... looking forward to following your blog.

Anonymous said...

i am a couch surfer too. the wonders of the internet. wishing you health and happiness :)
Vicki

mermaid gallery said...

The Rumi poem is so right! We must always listen to our visitors....I always listen to you....

* said...

You are such a poet, loved reading your version of our day together. :)

Wishing you well, and thanks for those magazines, too, they were perfect for the train!

Yin said...

Hola, Shai! Greetings from the other side of the Big Smoke, where the snow still hasn't really fallen. Not really. It must be because I bought three sleds. Might get a shovel for good measure and then I'm sure it won't snow till April at least.

Hope the visit is quickly fruitful and you are out again soon!

Ha, I have friends who scoff at the internet, so adamant are they that it is no substitute for the face-to-face and the here and now. And yes it's not a substitute but oh how much finer a day it makes, especially if it has been too, too long since I've looked up train timetables.

Stay strong, warrior!

Cloudia said...

I am glad you are a presence in my world




Aloha from Waikiki

Comfort Spiral

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Tess Kincaid said...

It's so lovely to see the two of you together! xx

Jeanne-ming Brantingham said...

lucky Terresa to see you in the flesh.
I often dream I will too...be so lucky.

and here is a bundle of my love to take with you to hospital....

Lorenzo — Alchemist's Pillow said...

Like Ruth and other commenters, I find there is something truly heart warming about the thought of two such beautiful spirits getting together. I hope the encounter with Terresa gives you strength, Shaista, for your "own little departure" to those "needles and the pulising infusion".

The Blog of Bee said...

You are trully amazing.

C.M. Jackson said...

what a beautiful post and story--I will be back to read more-c

Jingle said...

I invite you to attend poets rally week 35, where you share your poetry and make new poetic friends...poetry awards are assigned upon completion.

let me know when you are ready.
Merry Christmas...
Stay Blessed….

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