Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis © Yvonne Cornell, 2012

Metamorphosis is a marked change in appearance, character, condition, or function. Greek mythology employs abundant tales of physical transformations from human to animal or plant form. In Muslim legend, the jinni is a spirit being who can assume human or animal form. Nature seems to be in a constant state of change, shifting from one form to another, fruit to seed, and decay to regrowth. Change is inherent to human nature, despite its apparent contrast with our desire for safety and balance. From my observations, survivors living in joy do not resist change. Adaptation is our greatest natural legacy. You will remember the children’s book, Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown. No matter how many forms the little runaway bunny assumes — a fish in a stream, a crocus in a garden, a rock on a mountain — his protective mother finds a way to retrieve him. She too transforms from a mother into a fisherman, a mountain climber, a gardener, and finally, a tree for him to come home to because he has changed into a bird. We can adapt to meet the changes underfoot, whether motivated by necessity or love.