The Bird In Our Hands.
Words, As Fruit. #27
“Once upon a time there was an old woman. Blind. Wise.”
These are the beginning words of Toni Morrison’s 1993 Nobel Lecture. I reference Morrison here often. I consider her one of my spirit guides. In 2020, this lecture became a lullaby of mine. I’d listen to it to help me sleep. The story is poignant, and visceral. Her voice is melodic.
Now, in 2023, I find myself coming back to its words, and lines. They help me to make some kind of sense, acquire some kind of understanding, of these senseless times, what is happening, what is unraveling. Because, if anything, this is, we are, unraveling.
In her speech, Morrison tells this story,
“Old woman, I hold in my hand a bird. Tell me whether it is living or dead.”
She does not answer, and the question is repeated. “Is the bird I am holding living or dead?”
Still she doesn’t answer. She is blind and cannot see her visitors, let alone what is in their hands. She does not know their color, gender or homeland. She only knows their motive.
The old woman’s silence is so long, the young people have trouble holding their laughter.
Finally she speaks and her voice is soft but stern. “I don’t know”, she says. “I don’t know whether the bird you are holding is dead or alive, but what I do know is that it is in your hands. It is in your hands.”
Her answer can be taken to mean: if it is dead, you have either found it that way or you have killed it. If it is alive, you can still kill it. Whether it is to stay alive, it is your decision. Whatever the case, it is your responsibility.”
We are the bird in each other’s hands and so it is us that get to decide, are we living, or are we dead?
Image: artist, Francois Cauvin FCG52-Wanga Nègès 4
Other writers I am currently reading (and I invite you to read them too):
excerpts can be found here:
This came across my feed and for once, the algorithm got it right! Beautiful writing!
Thank you for highlighting this sentiment via such a powerful quote. I’m currently unearthing truths from my family system that no one has wanted to face. And as I choose to face the truths, I recognize I have to make decisions. How do I move forward? as it will inevitably ripple into the next generations. It’s in my hands, and in many ways, I am also in my family members’ hands.The answer I have come to is this - make the choice rooted in love. Always from love. And then the situation is placed in the hands of God.