The dragons in our lives, and in the world
Friday, November 04, 2016
I'm still under the weather, but popping in just long enough to post the following words by Rainer Maria Rilke. I was feeling in need of them today, and perhaps you are too....
In Letters to a Young Poet, he writes: "How should we be able to forget those ancient myths that are at the beginning of all peoples, the myths about dragons that at the last moment turn into princesses; perhaps all the dragons in our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us act, just once, with beauty and courage. Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love."
The illustration is by Inga Moore, from "The Reluctant Dragon" by Kenneth Grahame.
what a beautiful dragon!
Posted by: Mo Crow | Friday, November 04, 2016 at 07:45 PM
Awwwwwwww.
Posted by: Michelle in NYC | Friday, November 04, 2016 at 11:44 PM
Wonderful to hear that there's more Kenneth Grahame out there besides, "The Wind In the Willows" (One of my favorites.)
Posted by: Jack Behme | Saturday, November 05, 2016 at 02:00 AM
that is my favourite quote ever. I hope you feel better soon.
Posted by: sarah | Saturday, November 05, 2016 at 03:28 AM
Hoping to make sick Terri laugh.
The Princess Turns
Looking in the mirror,
the princess turns,
skirts bivalving around her.
She looks little like a dragon,
though once her nails were hard,
brown, broken.
Her hair once crinkled,
cracked, split-ended,
dyed green.
Her belly once bloated,
bones bleached, eyes runny,
teeth yellowed.
Amazing what a night
in a spa, good dentists,
detox, delousing can do.
The princess turns.
©2016 Jane Yolen all rights reserved
Posted by: MOM | Saturday, November 05, 2016 at 10:08 AM
Beautiful dragon. I remember that story.
Posted by: Antoinette | Saturday, November 05, 2016 at 01:47 PM
Oh, Jane, you made me laugh on a difficult day. Thank you! And, Terri, I am so grateful for this quote--I'd forgotten it, and it's just what I needed to read. Here be dragons, and we shall prevail. Many thanks to both of you.
Posted by: Candace | Saturday, November 05, 2016 at 08:02 PM
You have indeed made me laugh!!!! Bless you.
Posted by: Terri Windling | Thursday, November 10, 2016 at 01:02 PM