I am sorry I ran from you. I am still running, running from that knowledge, that eye, that love from which there is no refuge. For you meant only love, and love, and I felt only fear, and pain. So once in Israel love came to us incarnate, stood in the doorway between two worlds, and we were all afraid.
In Annie Dillard's "Teaching a Stone to Talk: Expeditions and Encounters," the author reflects on the complex relationship between love and fear. The speaker expresses a deep sense of regret for fleeing from a profound and genuine connection. Instead of embracing the love offered, they are overwhelmed by fear and pain, indicating a struggle with vulnerability and the weight of emotional intimacy.
This internal conflict is highlighted in a poignant moment set in Israel, where love manifests in a tangible form. The presence of this love brings both wonder and fear, creating a stark contrast between the promise of connection and the instinct to retreat. Dillard captures the essence of this struggle, emphasizing how fear can overshadow the beauty of love.
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