Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand that this too, was a gift. ~ Mary Oliver
When you’re 14, they call it puppy love. What does a 14-year-old know of love—anyway, I thought it was love at the time. He said he loved me, too. I never imagined he would hurt me so deeply. I never imagined such violence was even possible, that a human being could be so selfish and cruel. The darkness he gave me that day almost consumed me, threatened to kill me. Ironic, considering the day itself was sunny and bright, though bone-chilling cold.
Looking back decades later I see the blessing, how the pain and loss drew me closer to God as my only refuge. The other path my life may have taken—had there been no pain, no loss of innocence—is one in which I may have never fully understood my need for a Savior. When all is well, what does one need saving from? But I did need to be saved from that box full of darkness—I desperately needed rescuing so I could live this wonderful, light-filled life I’ve been given.
Cerulean sky
Cold wind blowing in darkness
Holds no power now
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This week dVerse Poets Pub offered up several quotes to choose from for Haibun Monday #7. The Mary Oliver quote spoke to me, so here’s my haibun for the week.