Y Ddraig Goch

April 30 2025 - It's the only one we've got

Prompt:"Do you love this world? Do you cherish your humble and silky life? Do you adore the green grass, with its terror beneath?" Mary Oliver

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Fully disclosure, I haven't heard of Mary Oliver, but she seems kind of twisted, so she may be worth further investigation.

Do I love this world? It's the only one we've got. As much as I'd loved one filled with magic, dragons, and where I play a central, pivotal role in a world defining adventure - it's not likely to happen... It's why I read and write science-fiction and fantasy. The world is a big place, and we are insignificant (individually at least) in the grand scheme of things. It is beautiful, cruel, nurturing, and harsh all at once - what's not to love.

Do I cherish my humble and silky life? I love that I have a life. There are varying aspects of it that I swing in and out of love with depending on what is going on in it - but on the whole I am happy in and with it. I certainly wouldn't remove any of the bare bones of it - even the bits that annoy the crap out of me. I'd rather work through it and change my perceptive, learn from it, or adapt/change it.

In truth, I have a pretty decent life. Things could always be worse. I have a husband who loves me and puts up with my many, many quirks and isms... (to clarify I love him too), I have two children who I also love dearly and who I would set the world of fire for. I have a home, a job I like, we are never starving or in any overt danger. We have friends and family who support us. Is it humble - it could be simpler/humbler. Is it perfect? - depends on the day. Would I change it? - in a word, no.

Do I adore the green grass, with its terror beneath? I don't think you can truly "adore" the grass without acknowledging the terror underneath. Whether it's all the hard work and grafting it takes to get there, or that not everything is as white as it first appears on the surface. Most things that appear amazing on the surface have a dark side. Most things that are "worth" it are hard work to get and keep.