As I die to self more and more in this isolated state of being, I wonder what will be left on the stone when this is over. Will I be more pure of heart? Or will this unnatural state of the smoke hole closing create in me a heart afraid, unconvinced of the possibilities of life again?
A good hard cleansing can leave a garment faded, uncolorful in its purity, flatly folded to rest in a hidden cupboard, silent to the outside world, craving nothing. Some would say, "At last." I would say, "Not for me."
On Oct 13, 2020 Martha Nelson wrote on We're Voting With Our Attention, by Leah Pearlman: