.
Phoenix
Are you willing to be sponged out, erased, cancelled,
made nothing?
Are you willing to be made nothing?
dipped into oblivion?
If not, you will never really change.
The phoenix renews her youth
only when she is burnt, burnt alive, burnt down
to hot and flocculent ash.
Then the small stirring of a new small bub in the nest
with strands of down like floating ash
shows that she is renewing her youth like the eagle,
immortal bird.
D H Lawence
Image courtesy [Photographic]:FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Spring into Summer 
Pingback: Grieving for self after divorce | Almost Spring
Wow!
Yes great poem.
So true! The most elemental changes often come only after we’ve been reduced to ashes.
We resist it in the beginning though!
🙂
Of course–given the choice, I’d always choose to avoid pain. I’m pretty sure it’s demented to WANT to inflict pain, either on oneself of others.
I love this metaphor. I love the image of rising from the ashes and I’m excited for you!
It is a fantastic metaphor and one I would never have thought could actually be true until I had lived it.
Thanks.
True words. when we arrive at that place where we are reduced to ashes and the abyss glares back at us, it is that moment when we choose to be born anew, to rise and rebuild a person we honour.
Yes, and one who can fly. 🙂
Thanks for your encouragement.
oh yes! 🙂
I have never read this, so, I am glad that you shared such powerful words. I just told my special friend that adversity can be one of the greatest teachers and motivators there is, and this reminds me of that very lesson. Here’s to rising from the ashes and reclaiming our greatness!
It is amazing how true the analogy is and how it is impossible to imagine how that could be until you actually live through it. Yes, here is to us rising up to greatness.
That image is one that I need that I need to keep fresh in my mind, especially on days like today, where I am forgetting how far I have come. . .
No matter how well we are doing and far we have come, there are always going to be moments of self-doubt. It is worthwhile looking back sometimes, if only to see how far we have come, how much better we are doing.
You are doing SO well. Keep on, keeping on.
Your words mean more to me at this very moment than you realize, so, thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart!
<> 🙂
great quote from DH Lawrence and good find for an appropriate beginning, renewal and Phoenix rising!
Yes, I LOVE the analogy because it describes what is happening to me so succinctly and accurately.
Just realized I read 2 of your posts together, and condensed them into one! Sorry! My comment on your previous post also applies to this. DHL is so right – we have to be prepared to be erased, and that is such a difficult decision because it’s letting go of everything that’s familiar. But necessary.
I think that is why this second phase is so painful ….. letting go of everything. It is a huge step but one that I believe will charge me forward.
This is fantastic. I haven’t heard this quote before. Just fantastic.
Yes, it was a great find. Thanks. 🙂