“Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth.” Thoreau, Walden
I am not a photographer. I realize too late, after the moment passes, that it was an opportunity to snap a picture. Yesterday I yearned for some inspiration. I decided to take a walk and pay attention to the earth. It is easy to slip into the doldrums of a “busy” life and not really embrace what surrounds us. That if we choose to open our eyes, that in our backyards, on the pavement, in the sky, in the neighbor’s garden, that there is a definite poetry and beauty to the earth. On the corner of my street, I viewed this cactus with pink flowers in full bloom. This image definitely speaks to my personal metaphor of the pendulum of sorrow and happiness. Despite the cacti’s thorns magical beauty can exist.
This tree stump caught my eye. It reminded me of my palm, the lines intersecting and telling a story. Some of the lines are more deep and pronounced. The surrounding cracks brought to mind one of my favorite quotes by Leonard Cohen, “Forget your perfect offering. There is crack in everything. That is how the light gets in.” Again and again, in small and large ways, I am learning that the perfection I sought in my younger days does not exist. What better way to reinforce this lesson than realizing that nature too is not completely perfect?
Walking along the pavement, I peeked through these yellow flowers. Their fragrance littered the air and it brought back memories of my days in India. My grandmother brought a similar flower to me every morning as a greeting. I forever associate that smell with my grandmother’s smile. Again, this poetry of the earth awakened a memory that I buried. This is what happens when we possess the presence of mind to pay attention.
Rounding the corner, I approached my home. Before entering, I captured one last image. The cloud cover presented hues of grey, white, and speckles of baby blue. Overcast days are rare in the desert. I was struck at how it appeared the clouds were playing together, blending in and out, but leaving enough room for the light blue to provide just enough comfort.
Pay attention to the poetry of the earth.
I love the images you’ve created–and the reminder to pay attention to the poetry of the earth. So lovely.
My goodness those are beautiful. It does the soul good to stop and see the ordinary beauty staring right at us!
Thank you, Rudri, for sharing this “poem” with us. Simply beautiful! I think when we really look at what surrounds us in nature, we don’t have enough eyes to see it all! We’re so blessed.
Beauty is everywhere when our hearts are open. Beautiful post! 🙂
The earth is overflowing with poetry…we simply must still ourselves enough to catch the rhythm.
I remember when my son was three-years-old and he ran into the house so very excited, grabbed my hand to bring me outside. Then he pointed at the sky and in his three-year-old way told me how beautiful it was.
Thank you for the stories that accompanied your photographs – both are beautiful.
I really should pay more attention to the poetry of the earth.
Actually I think you ARE a photographer! Beauty full photos. Stopping by from SITS to say hello!
Leslie
http://www.ElevenHands.com
You say you’re not a photographer, but those are some very telling photographs.
Lovely!