Friday 17 July 2015

Stillness

I have been reading poetry.
 


You will remember that leaping stream
where sweet aromas rose and trembled,
and sometimes a bird, wearing water
and slowness, its winter feathers.
You will remember those gifts from the earth:
indelible scents, gold clay,
weeds in the thicket and crazy roots,
magical thorns like swords.
You'll remember the bouquet you picked,
shadows and silent water,
bouquet like a foam-covered stone.
That time was like never, and like always.
So we go there, where nothing is waiting;
we find everything waiting there.
~Pablo Neruda
 
I have been reading prose.
 
 
I stand on the cliff and gaze out across the ocean to the end of the earth, where the water dissolves into the sky and eternity is veiled in a mysterious blue mist.  The breeze is as soft as a whisper and there is something timeless about the way it blows, as if it is the very breath of God calling me home. ~ Santa Montefiore
 
 I have been still - observing, watching the world turn.
From day into night.
 
It is the spirit that knows beauty,
that has music in its soul
and the colour of sunsets in its headkerchiefs;
that can dance on a flaming world
and make the world dance too.
~ W.E.B Du Bois
 
 
I have been quiet - listening to the buds unfurling and the fruit swell.
 
 
Feeling grateful for the little things.
 
That's all there is.
 

Elaine

 



51 comments:

  1. Elaine, you have the knack of being able to pick out the best bits of both poetry and prose! How many books do you own? Thousands?

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    1. Thanks Mark. No I don't own thousands of books just a few dozen but I do take note of things as I come across them and try to fit them into posts where I think they are suitable.

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  2. Beautiful images and delightful words Elaine. I have read a few of Santa Montefiore's books, have you ? I rather enjoyed them. They are a really easy read and often set in places that I love. so it's nice to see you quoting her.
    Have a lovely weekend Elaine. XXXX

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    1. Thanks Jackie. Yes, I have read a few of her books - like you say they are an easy read but enjoyable all the same. This quote is from the one I have just finished reading - 'Secrets of the Lighthouse' which I really enjoyed.

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  3. The little things are the everything. Such a very beautiful post! I am so glad I found your weblog, it always makes me happy to come here. And your photos are lovely.

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    1. Thank you Sarah. What a nice thing for you to say - feelings which I reciprocate.

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  4. I love the poetry you have shared, especially the piece by Pablo Neruda. My favourite photo is the third one of geranium buds and flowers! Your header with the cornflowers is so charming!

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    1. Thank you Sandra. I do enjoy reading poetry when I am in the mood and often come across pieces that 'speak to me'. Glad you like the header taken last year at a nature park.

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  5. Lovely photos. Simplicity, stillness, the little things - so important.

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    1. Thank you Lotta. I quite agree with your comment - little things are important and often get overlooked.

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  6. What a beautiful post, Elaine. I think that close up of the geranium is perfect. Keep enjoying the reading and your gorgeous garden. Check out my new blog when you have a chance. I want to try different kinds of photography now, and take pictures of other gardens and subjects, branching out from "My Cottage Garden". Diane xx

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    1. Thanks Diane. I love that photo too. I have checked out your new blog and look forward to seeing more of your pictures.

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  7. Lovely pictures and words. Flighty xx

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  8. Sounds like a good summer where you are. I used to love to memorize poetry, but I think my brain is too full now and it is very hard to do. Have a good weekend.

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    1. Like you I can't keep poetry in my head like I used too - just the odd line - then I can't remember which poem it came from!

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  9. this post reminded me that I have not read any poetry for a long time ... like Diane, I think the macro shot of the geranium is beautiful. Have a lovely weekend.

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    1. I read poetry quite a lot these days - sometimes I find a poem that says exactly what I am thinking - it brings me such pleasure.

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  10. Beautiful!

    I have been reading poetry too, John Burnside, do you know him?

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    1. Thanks Annie. No I haven't heard of John Burnside - I will check him out.

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  11. Dear Elaine - I enjoyed reading - "I have been still - observing, watching the world turn.
    From day into night." I am looking out of our study window watching the evening colours changing in the night sky from pink to grey to mauve.

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    1. I was looking out at the very same sky and thinking how beautiful it was.

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  12. That's it: Feeling grateful for the little things.
    I also love reading poetry, it's so nice to find some poetry here and someone who loves poetry too.

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    1. We are birds of a feather Janneke - glad you enjoyed the poem.

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  13. Wow Elaine!!!! Absolutely gorgeous photos here and beautiful poetry. Just what I needed at the end of a less than perfect day, so I'm feeling calmer and ready for sleep now. Thank you. xx

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    1. Thanks Rosie. Glad you enjoyed the post and pictures.

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  14. Beautiful....you are so right. To quiet the mind is the first step to a happier life I believe. Thank you for inspiring tonight friend! Nicole xo

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    1. Thanks Nicole. Quieting the mind is not always easy to do - glad this post inspired.

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  15. Beautiful, dear Elaine! The joy of words - and the joy of stillness, both valuable at their time.

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    1. Thank you Britta - I agree, words often bring me joy when nothing else can.

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  16. Beautiful words and beautiful roses. xx

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  17. I so enjoy your ramblings, Elaine. The flower photos are gorgeous and dreamy. I, too, am trying to be watchful and still.

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  18. Ah Elaine - Your "all there is" for certain is more than enough. Your flowers, your words, the poems and prose speak volumes - such wonderful blessings. Thank you friend for sharing. Hugs

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    1. Dear Debbie
      Sometimes I like other things to paint the picture for me - this is one of those times. Thanks for your kind comment.

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  19. Oh....how lovely Elaine, beautiful words and stunning calming pictures, especially that first rose and poem....just what I needed, so calming! Yes, it's always about the little things.xxx

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  20. Mmmm. The swirl of those geranium buds to accompany those dreamy words. Beautiful.

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    1. Thanks Anne - strange that Blogger isn't letting you reply under your own blog name - sorry on their behalf for the inconvenience.

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  21. (p.s., that was me, nikkipolani, attempting to post under another guise to get around Blogspot issues)

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  22. that's all there needs to be.

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  23. Beautiful words and pictures. Those words of poetry are so wonderful in creating visions. Sarah x

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    1. Thanks Sarah - I do so agree about that poem.

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