a dandelion
interrupting
the dream of a butterfly
– Fukuda Chiyo-ni

Fukuda Chiyo-ni was a Buddhist nun and poet from the 1700s, during Japan’s Ego period. Chiyo-ni is considered to be a trailblazing haiku poet, whose work changed the gender dynamics in poetry, which was predominantly associated with men.

I recently came across this poem that makes me reflect on how comfort can become its own source of discomfort – how a distraction that sustains what is known, comes with the aftertaste of longing for unguaranteed success. What thoughts does this bring up for you?