The Way It Is
William StaffordThere’s a thread you follow. It goes among
things that change. But it doesn’t change.
People wonder about what you are pursuing.
You have to explain about the thread.
But it is hard for others to see.
While you hold it you can’t get lost.
Tragedies happen; people get hurt
or die; and you suffer and get old.
Nothing you do can stop time’s unfolding.
You don’t ever let go of the thread.
Still here, quietly following the trail that . . . weave . . . is leaving for me.
This month, I’ve been thinking a lot about the threads that come together as we weave our lives. The Way It Is, a poem by William Stafford, always speaks to me (it has “lived” in my favorite-poems collection for many years now), but seems especially appropriate for me this year.
We can’t do anything to stop time’s unfolding, no. But if we keep hold of the thread . . . if we can hold our centers . . . well, we can weather the passing time. And . . . we can continue adding new threads to our weaving, making it stronger and more interesting all the time.
Today’s poem is from The Way It Is: New and Selected Poems by William Stafford, published by Graywolf Press in March 1999. You can find out more about the poet here.
This is one of my favorite poems and I love the way you write it out. Holding on to that thread over here too.
What a great poem. I like the idea of looking at our lives as a series of threads – some woven together, some not so much.
What a lovely post and I love your interpretation.
Very timely for me today as a thread thins but another holds tight. Thank-you Kym.
That poem is a really great way to illustrate the things that are constant in our lives – the people, our values, our habits – it all comes together to make up a life.
What a moving poem, Kym. Thank you so much for sharing it… and your really gorgeous pages from your journal! XOXO
I hope your warp and weft are strong and you can hold onto the thread!
This poem really spoke to me. Thanks.
That’s a great poem and really so perfect for your OLW. I love seeing your pages — and I like how the literal thread from the stitched section drapes across the middle as a visual reminder!
This post is very moving. Your writing is beautiful and meaningful. Thank you.
I have a collection of Stafford’s books – both prose and poetry. He’s long been a favorite of mine as is this poem. I once copied it and it hangs beside my writing desk. I especially like the idea of keeping hold of the thread, staying true to our center and weathering the passages of time. Great post Kym.
I love this poem. Holding our centers (well, finding them and then holding them) is the key!
Oh, Kym. This poem is so perfect for you and for so many of us. It’s a perfect way to describe what keeps us upright and breathing, and going forward without even getting lost. It’s the fabric of creating a life.