Strange Light
People normally cut reality into compartments, and so are unable to see the interdependence of all phenomena. To see one in all and all in one is to break through the great barrier which narrows one's perception of reality.
Nhat Hanh
Wildfire (A Fragment)
Sunday morning
a pale sun climbed above the trees,
red-rimmed and cold;
so dim, you couldn’t see
your shadow.
A rumor spread -
of a fire-breathing
monster rampaging
in the north
devouring the woods,
bellowing its smoke and ash
so far and wide
that a thousand miles away
soot is falling
in the streets,
and the skies are dark
and full of poison
Wildfire Sunset
The wildfires in Canada are causing problems all over the eastern United States. I knew about them but didn’t connect them to the strange sun I saw on Sunday morning until my husband, Tom, heard a news item about the effects the fires were having all over the northeastern United States.
The skies here are fairly clear, and our air quality is not as bad as other places, but just realizing how far-reaching these things are reminds me how small this fragile world is.
I am curious about how those of you living in the eastern US are doing. Are you having problems in your area from the wildfires…send me a message or leave a comment!
Thank you for being here! See you next week.
Finding Beauty in the Flawed
Nothing we see or hear is perfect. But right there in the imperfection is perfect reality.
Shunryu Suzuki
The Woodchuck
If I had weeded the garden,
he wouldn’t have come
standing on his hind legs-
savoring dandelions
and wheat grass,
resting on an old stump
and then waddling, content,
back into the woods.
The Crow
I welcome the glossy black bird
when he comes into my yard
frequenting my feeder,
nearly too big for the pole
quivering under the weight
of his heavy body.
I do not judge
the bloodiness of his beak -
it is crow nature to eat meaty things.
I welcome him here,
in my half wild garden-
where he is not expected
to want to be.
I welcome him here -
wondering.
The Deer
Their coats, like moth-eaten clothes
imperfectly stored for the winter
are changing for summer,
shedding extra layers -
lightening
to a beautiful reddish brown.
but their eyes are still as deep
as winter.
Beauty is the moment of transition, as if the form were just ready to flow into other forms.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
What a magical week. The woods are bursting with wild things. I was actually trying to get a picture of the crow who has become a regular at the feeder when I saw the woodchuck (aka groundhog) outside my window. The crow flew off, but the groundhog was having a feast and I don’t think he even saw me.
It wasn’t until the next day that I was able to get pictures of the crow. I have to confess that I cleaned him up in the three pictures I shared. (If you want to see what he looked like before I cleaned him up, let me know!) I was afraid that there was just a little too much grossness on his beak. I feel pretty honored that he keeps coming back. I guess crows don’t normally use backyard feeders. He’s become a member of my wild family.
The deer have been a little less present in the yard lately, but I see them everywhere on my walks. I sometimes wonder if they’re wary while their coats are changing. If you know, I’d be interested.
Thank you so much for being here! I hope you have a wonderful first week of June. See you next Friday.
Ode to a Blue Jay
Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.
Henry Van Dyke
To be a Blue Jay
In a blur of white, black and blue
You flew into my garden -
Landing under the feeder,
Pecking at the ground,
Picking up seeds,
Hopping around
Unbothered by my watching.
I want to live like you-
Able to fly from danger,
To pierce the silence
of the cold morning air
With the longing call
of my wild heart,
Unashamed.
I want to land softly
In the warm grass -
To dance in the sun,
and then just take off
for the trees when it’s gone -
leaving this comfortable cage
behind.
A blue jay and its partner are nesting in one of the trees behind my house and are regularly visiting the feeders in the yard there. I chose the opening quote not just because I think people should be able to share their talents, but also because the blue jay’s call is annoying to some people. Loud and piercing. Personally, I love the sound - especially on an otherwise bleak and quiet day.
Here is a link to check out if you want to hear the sounds (and learn more about the birds) : Audubon Society: About the Blue Jay (with sounds) - The calls I most often hear are the Jay (or Jeering) and the hawk imitation calls; but I recognized most of the other sounds; not realizing they were Jay sounds too.
This bird is very calm and curious. I read that when they are afraid; the feathers on top of their heads stand straight up - so he was unafraid, hopping around and tilting his head from side to side.
I also read that they are not really blue, but that the color is a trick of light … here’s a link to that explanation, if you’re interested: NOT in Blue.
Holding a little seed in its mouth and looking ready to jump again.
Pensive.
Standing tall and unafraid.
may my heart always be open to little birds who are the secrets of living
e. e. cummings
Thank you for being here, and thank you for your support. I appreciate every comment and suggestion!