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Monday, April 5, 2010

Looking Up





These past few weeks I have fallen back into walking--sometimes strolling, sometimes at a quick pace that nearly takes my breath away. I walk alone on errands to the library, post office, video shop, or for exercise and fresh air. I walk with company to dinner, to bars, to spy new apartments, to chat, and to laugh.  





Always I am looking. I take note of flowers, name trees (this book is helping), search for new details on houses that I've passed many times. I truly love the neighborhood where I live.




The first signs of spring that I found dotted the grass like colorful easter eggs. Now the trees are all in flower, coloring the sky and giving the daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths some competition for my attention. I snapped these photos on a number of walks last week. 

(If you know my husband, you should probably ask him to identify the plants in these last two photos. I just like to make sure he's been listening to me babble enthusiastically tell him about all the plant names I've been learning.)

I'll leave you with a poem about the strength and calmness of trees.





I Go Among Trees and Sit Still

I go among trees and sit still.
All my stirring becomes quiet
Around me like circles on water.
My tasks lie in their places
Where I left them, asleep like cattle...
Then what I am afraid of comes.
I live for a while in its sight.
What I fear in it leaves it,
And the fear of it leaves me.
It sings, and I hear its song.

--from Sabbaths by Wendell Berry


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Thanks to Maria for her post, which inspired me to read Wendell Berry again.



7 comments:

  1. Thank you for the loveliness: both the poem and the images. The act of noticing seems so small, but it pays big rewards.

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  2. I looked up for the first time this weekend too! I couldn't believe the blooms. I wondered, "When did this happen? And how did I miss it?"

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  3. Such pretty blossoms -- we're getting there in NYS, but not nearly as far as you are. I do so enjoy walking in nice weather, but in snow, cold and rain, I much prefer staying indoors.

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  4. So very pretty. I'd be walking everywhere as well. Thank you for sharing!

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  5. I love your photos and your words describing your walks around what sounds like a wonderful place to live...

    Thanks for sharing yet another thoughtful and beautiful poem by Wendell Berry... I'm all about stillness at the moment. Thank you, dear.

    xoox,
    -maria

    ps: and I love the new banner, too.

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  6. Such lovely flowers. We are still waiting here - but some budding has begun!

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  7. beautiful, allison! i think i have some similar photos! i love the reminder,though, and the poem!
    nicola

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Comments welcomed!

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