Tiger Lilies
Always earth holds another
forgiveness at its center:
and tiger lilies splinter
cold air for their own colors,
like teeth or smooth young shoulders,
or the ears that tradewinds bother.
-Jonathan Aldrich
Tiger lilies are intricate in their center, in the way they stand upright and brightly coloured for so long before suddenly their dropping centre piece down. A bold letting go. Dark purple fuzzy plant stuff everywhere- wow!
For me this image of a tiger lily conjures a beautiful concept of the boldness involved in forgiveness: The mental reach it can take to let go of a careless word or action from someone you hold dear; the wildly courageous act of being in close connection with others, where we take the risk of being wounded, disappointed, or misunderstood.
Sometimes holding a posture of graceful letting go shows strength of heart.