When I came across a certain blossom this morning the words of a friend spoke into my hearts' ear. And I am learning to listen. Thank you David Lash for your wisdom.
In Times of Bitter Storytelling by David Lash
It's a brief season made briefer by our house being on fire.
It's a brief season made briefer by our house being on fire.
What were the odds, swee'pea?
What were the odds, swee'pea?
I didn't expect to disturb her as she walked out, her hair up in a towel.
I didn't expect to disturb her as she walked out, her hair up in a towel.
These are the fallen flowers of a black locust tree in my neighborhood...
These are the fallen flowers of a black locust tree in my neighborhood. These trees appear as towering long limbed arabesque dancers. This makes it clear I am not a science writer.
Anyway, it is native to northeastern latitudes and grows well on degraded soil contributing to soil fertility by partnering with a bacteria to fix nitrogen. What a relationship.
It's sweet flowers are sought after by pollinators.
Its timber can remain rot free for a century.
In my neighborhood. Have walked by this grove of trees for literally 40 years.
Thank you Anne Madden, for opening my eyes and mind to these complex microbial relationships right before my eyes.
Peonized
Peonized
It is a solid forty degrees cooler than 2 days ago here on the Coast of Maine...
It is a solid forty degrees cooler than 2 days ago here on the Coast of Maine. The relief is palpable. Plants sip up what they can, reserve what they may and offer a chance to carry on.
And you would hold me.
And you would hold me.
I pray that I never walk by you anymore. Which I have for over 6 decades...
I pray that I never walk by you anymore. Which I have for over 6 decades. Busy with this. Or that. I hear the chatter that justifies all this. But I cease listening to it.
To those of you I know out here who have struggled with their fatherdom...
To those of you I know out here who have struggled with their fatherdom. Who have not been present to their children due to substance abuse, mental health issues, because sometimes you were initially broken by your own father...who was likely broken. Or had no father. Or no model for what it might be to be a man you now want to be. A lineage of broken hearts. Cheers to those I know out here who have been able to rekindle relationships with their children and those reshaping what it is to be a fathers child. Who have rebuilt relationships as you rebuild who you are and what you can be to others. Prayers to you who want to leave a legacy for your children, the children who have dismissed you or will not recognize you, so hurt are they. Keep. Going. I pray you continue your work on yourselves, the greatest gift you can offer your child ...and us. We see you and hold you in our hearts. And for those that have been hurt by your father, in all the ways humans hurt vulnerable humans, I open my heart to that pain and pray for you, a life in love. Regardless.
sometimes just best to shut tf up.
sometimes just best to shut tf up.
The Unexpected Face of Bee Balm
I had never taken the time to look you in the face all these years. I mean really look.
The Unexpected Face of Bee Balm
Listening is like seeing. The intimacy of the moment is lost without it.
Listening is like seeing. The intimacy of the moment is lost without it.
Bee Balm doing its bee balm thing.
Bee Balm doing its bee balm thing.
Delphiniums had my attention this morning. Image after image of delphiniums...
Delphiniums had my attention this morning. Image after image of delphiniums. I return home delphinium drenched to discover a waterfront friend has died. Amongst other things, delphiniums are used to remember loved ones who have passed. I remember you Todd Miller. Condolences to your family and friends.
You routinely bloom near the solstice. In my yard. Close by...
You routinely bloom near the solstice. In my yard. Close by. You are no hothouse variety. Your heady scent has an undertone of rot to it. Despite its concentrated perfumed fragrance that has me stuffing blossoms in pockets and in nooks and crannies throughout the house it carries that smell of something going by but not yet gone by. Of summer being the receding of light. Of summers' harvest rushing forward frantically before it's too late. Yup, all that on a lovely morning in June the day before solstice.
And I wondered if you knew you looked like the sunrise.
And I wondered if you knew you looked like the sunrise.
At least the delphinium had a sense of humor.
At least the delphinium had a sense of humor.
All there was to offer
All there was to offer
I remember riding through fields of lavender in France. That sounds so romantic...
I remember riding through fields of lavender in France. That sounds so romantic. My ass was sore. My bicycle in disrepair making that 100 mile day less than comfy. My attitude: pissy. Still, miles of lavender fields.