Tuesday, April 27, 2010

On the Wings of Lily

Jamie Ridler asks her wishcasters, What do you wish to invest in? True to form, I've answered the question before realizing it, before knowing the questions. I wish to invest in my Self ~ as in finding my lily.

The picture itself, is just the tip of the iceberg.
~ Sebastiao Salgado, Photographer


I've stumbled upon a jewel, a pearl, even, of a book. It's certainly a near crime that I paid only $2.00 for such a treasure. Here's what I think so far of Finding Lily. So far, as in, I will surely write more about this book, all Richard Clewes'  bittersweet revelations, and their impact upon the spirit me ~ my Muse. (N.B. ~ italicized words belong to Richard Clewes ~ you can find them in Finding Lily.)


I don't know my own story, or even if I care to write about it. Perhaps because for some, their stories weave through the stories of others, those we love so much? Perhaps because of how difficult it truly is to write the story which a quilt, or a tapestry tells?

I saw Erin's mania and depression - and how it emptied bank accounts and vapourised love - and managed to look right through it. I don't say that I didn't feel its sting; just that I gawked at depression's fury. Can eyes which have witnessed this be trusted to see? I mean, at what point do our physical senses betray us? Could we see relief out there, if it did indeed exist? Her depression was a mobile, 24/7 vortex pulling everything into a thick chaos. [Wandering] around the property and circled our house one last time [felt] like walking through the killing fields, haunted by so many buried dreams and secrets.

There was no one to talk to about it ... obfuscation became a kind of remedy. ... we'd go back to saying as little as possible  about the Heavy Thing. Yes, that Heavy Thing that sits on my chest, atop that spot where my heart lives, that sometimes makes me afraid to fall asleep, sometimes makes me afraid to wake up. That Heavy Thing which J.K. Rowling personified into a creature called Dementor. It routinely threatens to suck out from me, all the joy that holds my soul together. That Heavy Thing, with such indomitable power it will crowd out all that makes me, me ~ an individual, if I let it. And leave behind the crumbled remains of a character ~ bits and pieces that no one can fuse together, for all the pieces than no longer exist. 

The weirdrest part of bipolar disorder is that while its victims swing back and forth, spouses try to keep their own head from being chopped off by the emotional pendulum. This, truest statement breaks my heart, for all the walking wounded that reside within it. Including my very own wounded soldier.

How is it that I can wield such a lethal weapon, without really ever wielding it? That, I suppose, highlights the virulent, refractory nature of my friend, that Heavy Thing. There is no cure, only a spot where we have learned to make room for all those things from which we seek escape.

13 comments:

Sarah Lulu said...

As tinkerbell wishes for herself I so lovingly wish this for her also.

Such a beautiful post.

Lucy Ladham-Dyment said...

As Tinkerbell wishes for herself, so I wish for her also.

What a great explanation of this disorder that you have.

Thanks.

Ginny said...

As Tinkerbell wishes for herself, I wish for her as well. Thank you for helping me understand.

Unknown said...

As Roxanne wishes for herself I so wish this for her also!!!

Sarah Sullivan said...

As Roxanne wishes for herself I so lovingly wish this for her also.

Oh hon...I am in tears reading this..these beautiful deeply painful words that you have written here!! Could I email you hon?? Gentle hugs, Sarah

Bleeding Heart said...

As Tinkerbell wishes for herself, so I wish for her also.

Lis said...

As Roxanne wishes for herself, so I wish for her also.

beautiful ... honest and inspiring. thank you for trusting us here.

Karen D said...

As Tinkebell wishes for herself, so I wish for her also. This post just left me wanting to learn more, just WOW....my niece has bi-polar and you described it with the help of the book in a way that shines a new light on it. Thank you.

Sulwyn said...

As Roxanne wishes for herself, so I wish for her also. What a lovely post, thank you for sharing.

Fringe Collective Artistic Studios said...

You write very very well.

Please take a moment to read my wishcast from last week. It speaks of manic depression as well.

As you wish for self, I wish for you also.

Morgaine Pendragon said...

As Tinkerbell wishes for herself, so I wish for her also.

What a moving and beautiful post. I will have to find this book now, I read the excerpt and it left me wanting to read more.

Jamie Ridler said...

As Tinkerbell wishes for herself, so I wish for her also.

How powerful to find something that reflects back and enlightens our own story. Here's to finding your lily, beautiful you.

Geothermal Heat Pumps said...

shop the latest Geothermal Heat Pumps ! Now get the installation guide for free !

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
 

| Blog Template by http://www.bloggercandy.com/ | Header Image by Arpi |