When I Am Among the Trees

When I am among the trees, 

especially the willows and the honey locust,

equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,

they give off such hints of gladness.

I would almost say that they save me, and daily.

I am so distant from the hope of myself, 

in which I have goodness, and discernment,

and never hurry through the world

    but walk slowly and bow often. 

Around me the trees stir in their leaves

and call out, "Stay awhile."

The light from their branches.

And they call again, "It's simple", they say,

"and you too have come

into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled

with light, and to shine."

Mary Oliver

I have recently fallen in love with the work of Mary Oliver. This particular piece touched me. Above is a collage of dragonfly wings, a purple martin and Accabonac harbor. The air is so alive with goodness, the birds and the trees are in their glory.

Thank you Mary for the beauty that you left for us.