the meadowlark sings his song
mws
from it’s perch atop an old fence post
what seems to be just a melody to some
is a beautiful song of love and hope
a gift carried by the wind to those
who will listen with their hearts
-
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The voices of the rain…
“I close my eyes and listen to the voices of the rain.”
Robin Wall KimmererThe wind blows in my face. Mesmerized, I watch, listen and accept the day’s gift from nature. I am privileged and grateful to have this front row seat. I watch the sun’s rays break through clouds, reaching down and touching the earth. I watch rain fall from the dark ominous clouds releasing their gift that nourishes the land. I watch the wind constantly reshaping the clouds, carrying them along the mountains. I watch the grass dancing excitedly in the wind in front of me. I am too far away to hear the voices of the rain but I do close my eyes and listen to the voice of the wind, urging me to dance with the grass. How can I not be filled with awe and wonder, holding them tightly on this Earth Day 2024.
A Prayer on Earth Day 2024
We give thanks for Your gifts of awe, wonder and beauty.
For Your voice heard in the winds of each season,
the meadowlark’s song, the rumble of thunderstorms,
the undulations of the ocean’s waves,
the silence heard in a spring snowstorm,
and especially for the fruits of Your bounty
that sustains all of life.
May we always be aware there are no political solutions
to our spiritual problem of indifference and the abuse we cause.
But may we know we are chosen stewards,
whose task it is to live in harmony with all of creation.
May we live every day in celebration and gratitude of life!
May we allow You to transform us in the very ground of our being.
And, may the Great Mystery of all life fill us with love.
mws -
A Beautiful Spring Day
inspired by a beautiful spring day
mws
I caught the Max to campus
with an iced chai, I found a spot surrounded
by the quiet of the campus courtyard
soaking in the silence, I began listening
and writing words in my journal
abruptly, the quiet became chaos
as students poured out of classrooms
now surrounded by every size, shape, color
of student and backpack imaginable
conversations exploded everywhere,
gossip, tales from last night and laughter.
then gently, peace and quiet returned
as everyone moved on to their next period.
and in this quiet I wondered,
how many saw the daffodils? -
For Solitude
May you recognize in your life the presence,
John O’Donohue from “To Bless the Space Between Us”
power and light of your soul.
May you realize that you are never alone,
that your soul in its brightness and belonging
connects you intimately with the rhythm of the
universe.
May you have respect for your own individuality and
difference.
May you realize that the shape of your soul is
unique, that you have a special destiny here,
that behind the facade of your life
there is something beautiful and eternal happening.
May you learn to see your self
with the same delight,
pride, and expectation
with which God sees you in every moment. -
a silent miracle
dancing sunlight through a window
mws
unpredictable, playfull, offering delight
suddenly emerging, spreading its gift
the eyes see, the heart recognizes
a silent miracle of the familiar1Inspired by a John O’Donohue Poem -
The Source Within
Everything you see has its roots
Rumi
In the unseen world.
The forms may change
Yet the essence remains the same.
Every wondrous site will vanish,
Every sweet word will fade,
But do not be disheartened,
The Source they come from is Eternal,
Growing, branching out,
Giving new life and new joy.
Why do you weep?
That source is within you
And this whole world
Is springing up from it. -
… and never looks away
I stand in the midst of creation’s wheel
Steven Charleston
And watch in wonder the quiet majesty of its turning.
We are in the care of a love without limit or definition
Under the protection of a love that never looks away.It is Monday morning and we have fresh snow on the ground, clear blue skies and sunshine. I am grateful to be a witness to this beautiful winter wonderland. Today I am missing my mother who would have been 92 today. I also can say I miss her with a love that is without limits. Not sure I would have said that as a teenager which makes me grateful for my growing maturity. I’m also grateful for the belief that there is a caring love (and I speak of love as an action word, not a noun) that never looks away. I have experienced such love in family, friends and nature. So, I pray today for the gift of sharing with a love I’ve experienced which is without limits and never looks away.
-
The Miracle of a Kiss
If you suddenly and unexpectedly feel joy,
Mary Oliver
don’t hesitate. Give in to it. There are plenty
of lives and whole towns destroyed or about
to be. We are not wise, and not very often
kind. And much can never be redeemed.
Still, life has some possibility left. Perhaps this
is its way of fighting back, that sometimes
something happens better than all the riches
or power in the world. It could be anything,
but very likely you notice it in the instant
when love begins. Anyway, that’s often the
case. Anyway, whatever it is, don’t be afraid
of its plenty. Joy is not made to be a crumb.This past weekend I shot some senior portraits in Red Feather Lakes. While I was there I made another trip on Elf Lane. As I got out and walked among all the elfs and assorted other characters I suddenly, but not unexpectedly, experienced joy. Thought this little frog and princess needed to have their photo taken.