4.25.14 Lately, Almost Each Day,

Lately, I realize ,almost each day ,

the things I have not forgiven myself for.

 I'm amazed at what I've been uselessly

 lugging around for 61 years.

 Grateful they are making their way

 to the surface, to be forgiven , and set free.

4.23.14 The true emergence of baby-tender, brightest green

Sunset tonight, with the wild winds gusting through the ravines - trees creaking ; the spring cleaning of dead leaves and weakened branches.

Burgundy Trillium up all across the woods, and about to sing.

Bee Balm erupting in tiny velvet  sprouts, as we all relish the Daffodil and Pansy, and soon, Tulip. 

The Carolina Wren couple made a play for the Phoebe couple's nest site, an annual moss-woven nest protected beneath the roof, atop the outside light - and failed. 

The first Bluebird showed up, just glisteningly glorious, as new moths and more than a few overwintered Monarch caterpillars are unfurling their furred selves, and crawling out into the sun.

As two pairs of Great Blue Herons fly gracefully overhead. 

While a client today described the sighting of a Northampton Heron Rookery! 

Later, I stroll into the garden, to press wood into the base of the winter-buffeted arch, hanging out the small brass bell , to toll its clear chime with each gust of breeze.

I then fill the bird bath with crystal clear water. And lean down to pull an exuberant Sorrel leaf, walking away as I savor the blood enriching tang that turns my mouth and mind alive and awake to the arrival of spring. 

As the fallen Maple florets flutter in the wind, filling the air and then covering the ground with the minute flowers, now done with their task, drying upon the earth.

In preparation for the true emergence of baby-tender, brightest green,  first of all,  leaves.

4.15.14 Thou Answerest Them Only With Spring

"Thou answerest them only with Spring"                                 e.e.cummings

4.18.14 Blared Reply

Pink and blue stripes, all across the sky - until the setting sun blared its golden reply.

4.19.14 Still A Surprise

Out meditating on this cool Saturday morning,

It still comes as such a surprise to me,

each time I lay down the presence of holding the past and anticipating the future,

like two weighty packages I tend to pick up and lug about with effort. 

Everytime,  I wake with a start and realize that's why my arms feel strained and my step lagging.

I settle, and in doing so, in just watching and feeling as I inhale .... And exhale ... they somehow slip from my fingers, a weight lifted. 

The cool April air around me is contrasted by the profound warmth of the sunshine on my cheek and head and arm - such a delicious, penetrating heat. 

The sky above  so deeply blue and endless, punctuated by the burgundy floret celebrations of the old Maple, singing across the sky.

The Phoebes busily building a nest as they do each year.

The cacophony of the Bluejays as they play and race across the field.

One young Turkey hen steps from the thicket by the forest, out into the field, glances at me, and heads quickly down the hill, and out of sight. 

The earth turns, as I sit, the sun slowly coming into view;

 my feet like roots solid upon the moss,

the clouds on the horizon lifting away from the Tibetan Peace Pagoda, far off in the hills,

 as a Robin trills from the waking Aspen, and the day begins.

4.18.14 I TRY To Be Friends...

I TRY to be friends,

 but every time I ask her to play .

 She spits at me 

and chases me out of the room.

 Sigh.