The Jewels of Remembrance - Rumi

The spirit is like an ant, and the body like a grain of wheat
which the ant carries to and fro continually.
The ant knows that the grains of which it has taken charge
will change and become assimilated.
One ant picks up a grain of barley on the road;
another ant picks up a grain of wheat and runs away.
The barley doesn't hurry to the wheat,
but the ant comes to the ant, yes it does.
The going of the barley to the wheat is merely consequential:
it's the ant that returns to its own kind.
Don't say, "Why did the wheat go to the barley?"
Fix your eye on the holder, not on that which is held.
As when a black ant moves along on a black felt cloth:
the ant is hidden from view; only the grain is visible on its way.
But Reason says: "Look well to your eye:
when does a grain ever move along without a carrier?"

The Mathnawi of Jalalu’ddin Rumi

Mathnawi VI: 2955-2962

Love - Kahlil Gibran

Kahlil Gibran on Love

When love beckons to you, follow him,
Though his ways are hard and steep.
And when his wings enfold you yield to him,
Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you.
And when he speaks to you believe in him,
Though his voice may shatter your dreams
as the north wind lays waste the garden.

For even as love crowns you so shall he crucify you. Even as he is for your growth so is he for your pruning.
Even as he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun,
So shall he descend to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth.

Like sheaves of corn he gathers you unto himself.
He threshes you to make you naked.
He sifts you to free you from your husks.
He grinds you to whiteness.
He kneads you until you are pliant;
And then he assigns you to his sacred fire, that you may become sacred bread for God's sacred feast.

All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart, and in that knowledge become a fragment of Life's heart.

But if in your fear you would seek only love's peace and love's pleasure,
Then it is better for you that you cover your nakedness and pass out of love's threshing-floor,
Into the seasonless world where you shall laugh, but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears.
Love gives naught but itself and takes naught but from itself.
Love possesses not nor would it be possessed;
For love is sufficient unto love.

When you love you should not say, "God is in my heart," but rather, "I am in the heart of God."
And think not you can direct the course of love, for love, if it finds you worthy, directs your course.

Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself.
But if you love and must needs have desires, let these be your desires:
To melt and be like a running brook that sings its melody to the night.
To know the pain of too much tenderness.
To be wounded by your own understanding of love;
And to bleed willingly and joyfully.
To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving;
To rest at the noon hour and meditate love's ecstasy;
To return home at eventide with gratitude;
And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.

 

The Song of Wandering Aengus

I WENT out to the hazel wood,

Because a fire was in my head,

And cut and peeled a hazel wand,

And hooked a berry to a thread;

And when white moths were on the wing,

And moth-like stars were flickering out,

I dropped the berry in a stream

And caught a little silver trout.

When I had laid it on the floor

I went to blow the fire a-flame,

But something rustled on the floor,

And someone called me by my name:

It had become a glimmering girl

With apple blossom in her hair

Who called me by my name and ran

And faded through the brightening air.

Though I am old with wandering

Through hollow lands and hilly lands,

I will find out where she has gone,

And kiss her lips and take her hands;

And walk among long dappled grass,

And pluck till time and times are done,

The silver apples of the moon,

The golden apples of the sun. 

W.B. Yeats (1865–1939). The Wind Among the Reeds. 1899.

The Butterfly's Ball, and the Grasshopper's Feast

The Butterfly's Ball, and the Grasshopper's Feast

Come take up your Hats, and away let us haste

To the Butterfly's Ball, and the Grasshopper's Feast.

The Trumpeter, Gad-fly, has summon'd the Crew,

And the Revels are now only waiting for you.

So said little Robert, and pacing along,

His merry Companions came forth in a Throng.

And on the smooth Grass, by the side of a Wood,

Beneath a broad Oak that for Ages had stood,

Saw the Children of Earth, and the Tenants of Air,

For an Evening's Amusement together repair.

And there came the Beetle, so blind and so black,

Who carried the Emmet, his Friend, on his Back.

And there was the Gnat and the Dragon-fly too,

With all their Relations, Green, Orange, and Blue.

And there came the Moth, with his Plumage of Down,

And the Hornet in Jacket of Yellow and Brown;

Who with him the Wasp, his Companion, did bring,

But they promis'd, that Evening, to lay by their Sting.

And the sly little Dormouse crept out of his Hole,

And brought to the Feast his blind Brother, the Mole.

And the Snail, with his Horns peeping out of his Shell,

Came from a great Distance, the Length of an Ell.

A Mushroom their Table, and on it was laid

A Water-dock Leaf, which a Table-cloth made.

The Viands were various, to each of their Taste,

And the Bee brought her Honey to crown the Repast.

Then close on his Haunches, so solemn and wise,

The Frog from a Corner, look'd up to the Skies.

And the Squirrel well pleas'd such Diversions to see,

Mounted high over Head, and look'd down from a Tree.

Then out came the Spider, with Finger so fine,

To shew his Dexterity on the tight Line.

From one Branch to another, his Cobwebs he slung,

Then quick as an Arrow he darted along,

But just in the Middle, -- Oh! shocking to tell,

From his Rope, in an Instant, poor Harlequin fell.

Yet he touch'd not the Ground, but with Talons outspread,

Hung suspended in Air, at the End of a Thread,

Then the Grasshopper came with a Jerk and a Spring,

Very long was his Leg, though but short was his Wing;

He took but three Leaps, and was soon out of Sight,

Then chirp'd his own Praises the rest of the Night.

With Step so majestic the Snail did advance,

And promis'd the Gazers a Minuet to dance.

But they all laugh'd so loud that he pull'd in his Head,

And went in his own little Chamber to Bed.

Then, as Evening gave Way to the Shadows of Night,

Their Watchman, the Glow-worm, came out with a Light.

Then Home let us hasten, while yet we can see,

For no Watchman is waiting for you and for me.

So said little Robert, and pacing along,

His merry Companions returned in a Throng.

END OF THE BUTTERFLY'S BALL.

William Roscoe

After Great Pain......

After Great Pain, a Formal Feeling Comes

Emily Dickinson

After great pain, a formal feeling comes
The Nerves sit ceremonious, like Tombs
The stiff Heart questions was it He, that bore,
And Yesterday, or Centuries before?

The Feet, mechanical, go round
Of Ground, or Air, or Ought
A Wooden way
Regardless grown,
A Quartz contentment, like a stone

This is the Hour of Lead
Remembered, if outlived,
As Freezing persons recollect the Snow
First-Chill-then Stupor-then the letting go

Gifts

The Gift

by Rabindranath Tagore

O my love, what gift of mine
Shall I give you this dawn?
A morning song?
But morning does not last long—
The heat of the sun
Wilts it like a flower
And songs that tire

Are done.

O friend, when you come to my gate
At dusk
What is it you ask?
What shall I bring you?
A light?
A lamp from a secret corner of my silent house?
But will you want to take it with you
Down the crowded street?
Alas,
The wind will blow it out.

Whatever gifts are in my power to give you,
Be they flowers,
Be they gems for your neck,
How can they please you,
If in time they must surely wither,
Crack,
Lost lustre?
All that my hands can place in yours
Will slip through your fingers
And fall forgotten to the dust
To turn into dust.

Rather,
When you have leisure,
Wander idly through my garden in spring
And let an unknown, hidden flower’s scent startle you
Into sudden wondering—
Let that displaced moment
Be my gift.
Or if, as you peer your way down a shady avenue,
Suddenly, spilled
From the think gathered tresses of evening’
A shingle shivering fleck of sunset-light stops you,
Turns your daydreams to gold,
Let that light be an innocent
Gift.

Truest treasure is fleeting;
It sparkles for a moment, then goes.
It does not tell its name; its tune
Stops us in our tracks, its dance disappears

At the toss of an anklet.
I know no way to it—
No hand, nor word can reach it.
Friend, whatever you take of it,
On your own,
Without asking, without knowing, let that
Be yours.
Anything I can give you is trifling—
Be it a flower, or a song. 

Blessings - Put Out Your Best

A blessing is what comes forth from your own heart. If your heart is calm and full of love, you put out blessings that are calm and full of love.

There's no one so young or weak that his blessings is not strong. There's no one so crazy that his blessing is not strong. Everyone's blessing is strong. It's always worth a try. Never underestimate your ability to help someone.

Put our your best love and your best good will, your deepest and most serious love all the time, because there's always someone who needs it.

This Season's People
Stephen Gaskin

Home & Peace - The Gardens

I am a lucky and grateful woman. I know there is a lot of love in my life. I've done some traveling, bonding, loving, laughing, and even a little crying. I've put a few traveling miles on my body and heart. My sister, my niece, and I meandered through four states together in a few days. A couple of those states we went to twice. We spent at least 700 miles in a car together this last week. We shared a lot of love and saw many wonderful sites. It was a memorable experience but, I am whirling emotionally and physically today. In a good way though, my sister and I get closer to understanding each other every time we see each other. It's not always easy, we have some different opinions about life, as we should. We've lived on different sides of the country for so many years and traveled different paths. This is a learning process. One of my most favorite parts of the experience was getting to know my niece, Stephanie. I didn't get to be with my nieces and nephews when they were children growing up and I feel like I am close with one of them now. I hope we continue joining each others journey from time to time and with less time in between.

I need to rest and be calm and creative. I am glad I don't have to work until Monday. I have a beautiful weekend to relax and decompress from such a long trip. I am so grateful for my life and home. There is so much love and beauty around without going to far to look for it. The sun is shining and I am breathing in the beautiful gardens around us. I just have to walk around my house and yard to find calming beauty. It doesn't take long for me to feel the healing. I noticed I was dancing in the kitchen to some great music this morning. I am going to spend the weekend quiet and calm. A quick run to the farmer's market and the produce stand and our off-site garden are all I want to see this weekend other than my warm home. A bit of turning on the tunes and creating in the kitchen is in order too.

Just a short walk around my home and breathing in all the colorful beauty popping up in the sunshine warmed my heart pretty quickly. The plants in the greenhouses are getting ready for outdoors. My friends gave me "time" for my birthday this year. My husband and Bill repaired the front door which was years overdo. Scott planted the corn starts on my birthday. Rachel worked to find my backyard again. I have not seen my steps in the backyard for a long time. I do remember standing at the top of them last year with a broken leg sad because I couldn't use them. I think I kind of forgot about them. What a wonderful birthday present. Thank you Scott, Bill, & Rachel!

Walk in Love

There is a lot of love in my life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Life is Like

stepping into a boat

which is about to sail

out to sea and sink."

Suzuki Roshe

How I Became a Madman - Kahlil Gibran

You ask me how I became a madman. It happened thus: One day, long before many gods were born, I woke from a deep sleep and found all my masks were stolen -- the seven masks I have fashioned and worn in seven lives -- I ran maskless through the crowded streets shouting, "Thieves, thieves, the cursed thieves."

Men and women laughed at me and some ran to their houses in fear of me. 

And when I reached the market place, a youth standing on a house-top cried, "He is a madman." I looked up to behold him; the sun kissed my own naked face for the first time. For the first time the sun kissed my own naked face and my soul was inflamed with love for the sun, and I wanted my masks no more. And as if in a trance I cried, "Blessed, blessed are the thieves who stole my masks." 

Thus I became a madman.

And I have found both freedom and safety in my madness; the freedom of loneliness and the safety from being understood, for those who understand us enslave something in us.

But let me not be too proud of my safety. Even a Thief in a jail is safe from another thief. 

Copyright @ Kahlil Gibran.

 

How's the Garden?

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tenderness and kindness are not signs of weakness and despair, but manifestations of strength and resolution.

Kahlil Gibran

Our Journey - Life is Good

Through the days I often try to fit in too much. I get tired and stressed especially with both our sons' situations right now. I get myself overworked, excited, stressed and tend to get a little impatient with my husband. But, when I stop and look at life I do realize that most every time I am doing something wonderful, it's with him or if not, I wish he was there. I do appreciate you SK.

Beef Steak Tomato

For one human being to love another; that is perhaps the most difficult of all our tasks, the ultimate, the last test and proof, the work for which all other work is but preparation.

 

Rainer Maria Rilke

Bessie Stanley

He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it; who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction. To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.

[published 11/30/1905 in the Lincoln (Kansas) Sentinel by Bessie Stanley - an adaptation of this is often attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson, though nothing like it has been found in his writings.]

Tranquility

Tranquility

by: Anonymous

Think of a day when we all will see,
When the world will unite and we will be free.
Show all compassion and you will see,
That everything must come back as three.
Once you open your heart to the world,
you will realize that we can be free.
Do what you feel is right,
And embrace love and peace with all your might.

Walking behind Tam O'Shanter Park

The Garden of Peace

When life gets you down and the turmoil is great.

Visualize a lush green meadow with a wide opening gate.

Enter the gate with a noble and pure heart. Let your soul be your guide.

Before you enter the gate there are two trees side by side.

At the tree on the right hand side, leave all your baggage of anger and mistrust.

At the tree on the left hand side, leave all your envy and negativity. It will turn to dust.

Once you are cleansed, you now may enter the garden of peace.

Here in your heart, the anxiety will cease.

The garden is as long and wide as you wish it to be.

You may wish to walk that garden for hours or for years, the fence only you can see.

Take a deep breath, enter in unburden yourself! Bathe yourself with the divine light.

Walk and gaze upon each flower and see how God shines so bright.

Some people may need to walk that garden their whole life.

That garden is always there when we are in strife.

There is never any night in that garden of peace.

It is in that garden the turmoil will cease.

Be strong! Take a walk in your garden today.

Each flower will bless you with a golden ray.

© A.Pell  22/08/2004

 

Mother to Son

Spending the morning watering my garden babies, transplanting some tomato seedlings into larger pots, off to the produce store, then home to make a salad and pack some weekend supplies. Oh yeah did my taxes, yuk this year.

We are headed to Aberdeen to see Marty this time. He has been moved to another facility. A little farther drive than Shelton, two hours, it's at the coast and near a couple little port towns. We can make a nice trip out of it, spending the night on the coast, taking a walk on the beach in the evening and in the morning. Walking on the beach at sunrise is my favorite. I'm hoping to buy some fresh fish in the marina. I'm bringing an empty cooler.

Stafford Creek 

Mother to Son

Langston Huges

Well, son, I'll tell you:
Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
It's had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor --
Bare.
But all the time
I'se been a-climbin' on,
And reachin' landin's,
And turnin' corners,
And sometimes goin' in the dark
Where there ain't been no light.
So boy, don't you turn back.
Don't you set down on the steps
'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.
Don't you fall now --
For I'se still goin', honey,
I'se still climbin',
And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Spring is for Gardening

What a great spring weekend! The sun is shining and warm. We haven't had that combination in awhile. I happily threw the jacket I wore yesterday into the backseat of the car and embraced the sun. I got some good exercise yesterday. I made my rounds to the produce markets, the health food store, and did some cooking for the week ahead, details to come later.  

Today we are going to take advantage of this wonderful weather and plant the onion and garlic starts in our garden plot. They're ready to go outside and it's OK to put onions out now. We will have some more cold weather, but they can survive all right. I'm looking forward to getting on my knees in the dirt and mud today.

Garlic on top, Onions in the bottom photo

 We have some new seedlings starting, the beefsteak tomatoes didn't waste any time reaching for the sun. We have some peas showing up. There are some fennel babies sticking their very delicate slender first leaves out. And, of course the Mammoth and Aromatto basil is growing. Basil is the fastest seed to germinate and sprout I have seen so far. I am having a bit of trouble with peppers. They seem to reach up, get their second set of leaves started and then fall over. I think maybe I had the lights too far away so they were too frail for the new, heavier leaves. That's going to happen though, I am new at this. Not everything is going to work the first time. Hmm, sounds like life. I did realize this project is not only providing me with much joy and love, but I am learning a bit of patience too. I do get a little disappointed when I notice that they just don't need my help some days.

 

Sugar Snap Pea

So, off for some natural vitamin D and some loving moments in our garden. Happy Days!

One Vast Garden

"I find one vast garden spread out all over the universe.

All plants, all human beings, all higher mind bodies

are about in this garden in various ways ,

each has his own uniqueness and beauty.

Their presence and variety give me great delight.

Every one of you adds with his special feature to the glory of the garden."

By: Sri Ananandamayi Ma