Friday, August 21, 2015

Friday Ramble - Tattered

Tattered comes to us from the Middle English tater and the old Norse tǫturr meaning rag or shred, and both words are cognate with the old English tætteca meaning more or less the same. Almost every culture on the planet possesses something like it - Low German has its tater, Old High German has zaeter, and the Icelandic form is töturr.  Originally, the word was a noun, but tatter seldom makes an appearance in modern parlance, and we cling to the past participle form with its implied verb.

To be tattered is to be frayed, shabby and dilapidated, threadbare, all patches and blowing scraps,  worn and attenuated from long and honorable use in the service of life. That makes this week's word conceptual kin to wabi sabi (侘寂), the timeless Japanese aesthetic centered around notions of simplicity, transience and impermanence or mujo (無常).

Wabi-sabi nurtures all that is authentic in embracing three simple realities: nothing lasts, nothing is ever finished, and nothing is perfect. Paradoxically, that which is tattered, transient, imperfect and incomplete is beautiful in its own way, resting easy in its natural state and suchness or tathātā.  There's the old koan of life popping up again and insisting that we work out its elemental truth. If I ever needed reminders, I have been on the receiving end of many in recent months as we work our way through endless visits to doctors, cancer clinics and hospitals. We are walking, talking, breathing haiku, here only for seventeen syllables, three lines.

It would be difficult to imagine anything lovelier than the White Admiral who came into our garden a few days ago. She danced and fluttered her way around in the sunlight, and there was joy in every movement of her faded and tattered wings. How can one fly in such a dilapidated state, let alone dance? She did, and when she came lightly to rest among the pines, she was perfect in every way. If I could have held the lady in my arms, I would have done just that - this tired, frayed and emotionally tattered female was very glad to see her.

6 comments:

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Dear dear Cate, My heart goes out to you, if I was near I would bake you something and hug you.
I am not
but continual prayers go out to you and your loved one.
I want more special words
but none come.
Please take care..

Marcie said...

What a beautiful, poignant photo and post. Sending good energy.

Mystic Meandering said...

Oh Cate... Such apt words and images for your experience... My Heart goes out to you as well. Sending Cyber Hugs... Do indeed "rest easy" knowing that you are held in the arms of Love... What else can you do... Just rest... ((Hugs))

a gardener said...

I join many others in sending you peaceful and healing energy.

sarah said...

(((Hugs))) This was so beautifully written, and I love the way you accept and embrace your tatteredness and tiredness rather than fighting against it, which would only make everything so much worse. You do yourself honour. I wish for you much warmth and comfort of healing and happiness.

Kiki said...

My heart nearly stopped upon coming to your post..... I love this English word 'tattered' - it's such a strong word; it says it all and you described it so much. It's a word I used often during my UK stay - and I too wondered how a butterfly in THIS state can still fly - AND be beautiful in it!
You too, are beautiful in your tattered state; I know it - may I offer you humbly one of my earlier uploads on flickr?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/vol-au-vent/380750908/
It's a 'similar' story, only so much less eloquent than yours. I pray for you and your dear husband, it's soon time to go to bed!
Kiki