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.
Thank you for the loveliness: both the poem and the images. The act of noticing seems so small, but it pays big rewards.
ReplyDeleteI 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?"
ReplyDeleteSuch 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.
ReplyDeleteSo very pretty. I'd be walking everywhere as well. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI love your photos and your words describing your walks around what sounds like a wonderful place to live...
ReplyDeleteThanks 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.
Such lovely flowers. We are still waiting here - but some budding has begun!
ReplyDeletebeautiful, allison! i think i have some similar photos! i love the reminder,though, and the poem!
ReplyDeletenicola