Friday, October 26, 2007

Writer's Island - The Stranger

This past year an unknown person rose up and saluted me. She looked around - casual and relaxed. The chain that held her back had snapped. It wasn't the only chain holding her back but what she learned from working with the binding links taught her the lessons she needed to deal with the remaining chains.

The stranger who emerged wasn't entirely unknown. Many of her aspects were familiar and not unwelcome. But beneath the padded exterior, the stranger reared up and demanded admittance to the light, whispering words shouting, "Listen to me. Hear me." The stranger revealed her hidden sides - poet, artist, dreamer, gatherer.

The stranger appeared seven months ago. In that time layers of fear and doubt have eroded and dissolved. Protective padding has slipped away. harping voices have come, gone, come and gone again and always the stranger gained strength.

She looked through my eyes and examined the world in a newer way. The gentle prodding and urging of the stranger helped to release, to let go of the chains of material possessions. The stranger's mission - to show what is important, what to keep and what to say good-bye to. But most importantly, what to say hello to and welcome.

8 comments:

Mary Timme said...

I like her! Snicker and tee hee, because this is very clever of you!

qualcosa di bello said...

what a beautiful reflection...

Julie said...

Hi, Annie,

My stranger is emerging, but not as far from the shadows as yours has. I am so joyful for you.

I have been ruminating on your previous post - not ready to make a comment yet but what food for thought!

Julie

Anonymous said...

Annie I love when you write like this, the depths of your soul and beauty it is.

Preeti Shenoy said...

oh yes--sometimes a simple hello and a welcome is all that is needed to understand the stranger.

Preeti Shenoy said...

And sometimes, some introspection too!

Alice Regan said...

Again you capture my heart with your words. I sometimes see a stranger, but it's not ready to step from behind the shadow yet. What beautiful words you write, that prompt such deep thoughts.

Left-handed Trees... said...

Very nicely done...
Love,
D.