The Body's World

The problem, unstated till now, is how
to live in a damaged body
in a world where pain is meant to be gagged
uncured un-grieved-over The problem is
to connect, without hysteria, the pain
of any one's body with the pain of the body's world
For it is the body's world
they are trying to destroy forever
The best world is the body's world
filled with creatures filled with dread
misshapen so yet the best we have
our raft among the abstract worlds
and how I longed to live on this earth
walking her boundaries never counting the cost

- Adrienne Rich

The narrator of this poem seeks to explain that her own body's pain is putting her more in touch with the greater pain currently occurring to 'the body's world' - this planet that we know only through our bodies. This could be the pain of destruction from over- exploitation and climate change. Sadly we can no longer "live on this earth, walking her boundaries, never counting the cost".

This photo captures some of the pain I felt from the destruction of the natural beauty of the Newhall Valley Park by the ugly metal fencing and barbed wire that seemed to be strangling and imprisoning the delicate white Blackthorn blossom.

Another full day, starting with "Common Prayer" and breakfast for 9 people, then on to lunch in Lichfield with D's friends from his school days, then home for a short walk before dinner at my niece, Debbie and Sam's house.