Timing ~ 6

Victoria, March 30, 2019

Magnolia blossoms 

opened to brilliant sunshine 

merely because it was time.

“The sun does not shine for a few trees and flowers, 

but for the wide world’s joy.”

~ Henry Ward Beecher

On an Afternoon Walk - Bearded

A delicacy that gives a lie 

to the shade that is to come.

“True delicacy is not a fragile thing.”

~ James Broughton, poet

(1913 - 1999)

Imaginings

Her husband Ralph would think she was foolish. To stop in the midst of their run to look longingly at the house they would never have. Out of breath, he wiped his face and neck with the already saturated cloth he carried with him. “We’re going to take a different route, Nancy. You know that looking at that house isn’t going to help, honey.” He did feel sorry that he couldn’t buy her the house. It was old anyway and probably needed a lot of work. “But Ralph, just look at that bay window. Is it a beautiful dining room, with oak furniture, or a quiet sitting room. Can’t you just imagine the parties we could have; or the books I could read by that window? And when the vines are full and green, and in the fall beautiful red……..” Her voice drifted off on the breeze. “Come on, honey. Let’s keep on. Your mom and dad will be here and trying to find us.” Putting his arm around her, they started walking and in a few steps continued their jog home to their tiny apartment. 

“You go on up, I’ve got a call. Be up in a minute.” Nancy’s parents were at the door of the apartment house. “Mom! Dad! No hugs yet. I’m all sweaty. Come…….Ralph will be up in a minute.”

Her husband didn’t have an incoming call. He felt badly about his little white lie. “I don’t know how I’ll do this, I can’t see her crying any more.” He punched in the Real Estate number and set up a meeting. He didn’t want to say anything until he was sure. So much to consider. He’d need to talk with the bank and hope for the best. 

“Imagination is the only weapon in the war against reality.”

~ Jules de Gaultier, philosopher

(1858 ~ 1942)

On the Bus ~ Cascades

languages strange to my ear

in laughter and conversation

the music of many voices

riding the bus.

“The limits of my language means the limits of my world.”

~ Ludwig Wittgenstein, philosopher

(1889 - 1951)

At Day's End

Strength flows and ripples 

over flat or jagged rocks,

rests and pools 

in clear water 

at days end.

“Those who flow as life flows know they need no other force.”

~ Lao Tzu

After the Rain

Photo from 2023 in the city

Thru' windows tall and wide,

I saw the clouds today,

bulky even after the rain,

muscling their way 

over the prairie, 

allowing the sun to shine 

as shades of gray passed.

“The sky is postcard dreamy now, the clouds less full of rain, 

the sun a little stronger every day.”

~ Kathleen Glasgow, Girl in Pieces

Author's note: Poetry today inspired by clouds outside Memento Cafe at University of Regina.

On an Afternoon Walk ~ In Song

Winter or summer, fall or spring, this Song Tree tells me what season is upon us. In winter it grows a long white beard, in summer’s shade it is home for all manner of life, in the fall the wind cleans debris from its branches and hollows. Today it seemed to lean farther back on its old dry trunk to sing to the avenue of the leaf green tips ready to burst all around.

“There is always Music amongst the trees in the Garden, 

but our hearts must be very quiet to hear it.”

~ Minnie Aumônier, (1865 - 1952)

*artist, costume designer, poet and writer

*from <thedailygardener.org>