in the midst of

My dear,

 

In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love.

In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile.

In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm.

 

I realized, through it all, that…

In the midst of winter, I found there was, 

within me, an invincible summer.

And that makes me happy.

 

 For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, 

within me, there’s something stronger – 

something better, pushing right back.

Truly yours,

Albert Camus

from Retour à Tipasa, 1952 

(Return to Tipasa, 1952)