elusive, like melting ice
Grey day. Everyone's complaining about it being a long week, even though it's only Wednesday. It started raining as I was walking home, but I managed to duck for cover and avoid the worst of it.
I've gone and ordered a new computer. (Not an Apple, Beth. Sorry.) My wallet complains, but . . . ah well. Now I just need to try and get everything backed up. It should arrive on Saturday, so I can install on Sunday. Fingers crossed.
I've also had a realisation about Vale in the Library story. He's got Fae blood somewhere in his family, though I'm not sure to what degree. This explains a great deal. It is also going to cause so much trouble later.
---
15: People of power
Once upon a time
people who knew the Way
were subtle, spiritual, mysterious, penetrating,
unfathomable.
Since they're inexplicable
I can only say what they seemed like:
Cautious, oh yes, as if wading through a winter river.
Alert, as if afraid of the neighbors.
Polite and quiet, like houseguests.
Elusive, like melting ice.
Blank, like uncut wood.
Empty, like valleys.
Mysterious, oh yes, they were like troubled water.
Who can by stillness, little by little
make what is troubled grow clear?
Who can by movement, little by little
make what is still grow quick?
To follow the Way
is not to need fulfillment.
Unfulfilled, one may live on
needing no renewal.
-- from the Tao Te Ching, translated by Ursula Le Guin
I've gone and ordered a new computer. (Not an Apple, Beth. Sorry.) My wallet complains, but . . . ah well. Now I just need to try and get everything backed up. It should arrive on Saturday, so I can install on Sunday. Fingers crossed.
I've also had a realisation about Vale in the Library story. He's got Fae blood somewhere in his family, though I'm not sure to what degree. This explains a great deal. It is also going to cause so much trouble later.
---
15: People of power
Once upon a time
people who knew the Way
were subtle, spiritual, mysterious, penetrating,
unfathomable.
Since they're inexplicable
I can only say what they seemed like:
Cautious, oh yes, as if wading through a winter river.
Alert, as if afraid of the neighbors.
Polite and quiet, like houseguests.
Elusive, like melting ice.
Blank, like uncut wood.
Empty, like valleys.
Mysterious, oh yes, they were like troubled water.
Who can by stillness, little by little
make what is troubled grow clear?
Who can by movement, little by little
make what is still grow quick?
To follow the Way
is not to need fulfillment.
Unfulfilled, one may live on
needing no renewal.
-- from the Tao Te Ching, translated by Ursula Le Guin