Perle Magazine Issue 13 PERLE MAGAZINE | Page 51

Writer’s APRIL - MAY 2017 Perle their fear of sinking leading them to cut off their own feet. To be able to point a blade is sometimes beautiful and sometimes brave. No one should have to shoulder mountains or be stuck in Plato’s cave. The freedom to reject, to turn away, to cut out, is something powerful indeed. Addictive. Mindless. Drastic to the point that people forget they can wade through mud and come out with both feet, if not also with both shoes. Many a gardener will only prune a plant for its own survival. Cutting an abscess and forgoing fading it in other ways are two distinct choices. To be able to point a blade is sometimes beautiful and sometimes brave, and it is sometimes cowardly and sometimes cruel. The difference between facing a difficulty or being weighed down by it lies in the hand holding the blade, and sometimes it is worth reminding ourselves before we pick up our scalpels that our hands are capable of more. 51