Saturday, September 24, 2011

...be present...




how does a part of the world leave the world?
how does wetness leave water?

don't try to put out fire by throwing on more fire!
don't wash a wound with blood.

no matter how fast you run, your shadow keeps up.
sometimes it's in front!

only full overhead sun diminishes your shadow.
but that shadow has been serving you.

what hurts you, blesses you.
darkness is your candle.
your boundaries are your quest.

i could explain this, but it will break the
glass cover on your heart, and there's no
fixing that.

you must have shadow and light source both.
listen, and lay your head under the tree of awe.

when from that tree feathers and wings sprout on you,
be quieter than a dove.
don't even open your mouth for
even a coo.

~Mewlana Jalaluddin Rumi
shadows are present on all surfaces.
vibrant colors are present on the trees.
coolness is present in the air.
heavy dew is present on the grass.
happy singing is present in the hearts of the birds.
a softer blue is present in the sky.
fall is present.
i am present.
be.
here.
now.
******
light + objects = shadows
may you be present today.
just BE.
robin.
ps.
one of the birds i heard singing
this morning was a robin.
they have been gone since the middle of august.
i was thrilled to hear it.
but.
as i was finishing this post there was a thud
on my livingroom picture window.
it was a very loud thud.
it is usually a morning dove.
but to my sadness.
it was a robin.
this makes me very sad.

17 comments:

forgetmenot said...

I'm so sorry about the robin. We have a house with lots of big windows and have always had the problem of birds flying into the glass. Sometimes they are just stunned and recover, other times life ends for them. Your shadow shots are very dramatic as are the words to the poem. Excellent, creative post as all of yours are. Have a nice weekend. Mickie ;)

Paula Scott Molokai Girl Studio said...

Come to think of it-they have gone awol here too and I haven't seen one in a while. I am sad too, that the robin met the glass at too hard a force. Hopefully, it was just stunned and came to and flew away.
I love the spider's web as your banner. How do you create those photo edges? Is it from a cell phone ap or photo software?

Dianne said...

the golden light and tiny fragile shadows are delightful

Molly said...

When I read through my favourite blog roll, yours was the first one I opened. the words are so beautiful and the pictures say it all. Robin thank you for this lovely blog post. Have a great weekend

Ralph said...

The long and autumnal sun makes for beautiful southerly shadows, although the longer the shadow the colder the day. My may not like the drop in temps, yet we are always satisfied with even a mere shadow falling over the brightly lit items...

It may be sad, but gloriously fitting that this robin's last and beautiful song was sung for you...

Cassie said...

Rumi is beyond me, but I do so love your shadow shots! Sorry to hear about the robin. Our birds have had an unusually high mortality rate at our bay window this year too. Always makes me sad to have to scoop them up. :0(

Hootin Anni said...

Very dramatic and 'dreamy' shadows!!!

My Link: Backyard Shadow

Have a terrific weekend.

Sylvia K said...

Wise words and wonderful shadow shots for the day! I always get a very peaceful feeling when I visit your blog -- it exudes peace! Have a lovely weekend, Robin!

Sylvia

Patti said...

I hope the robin will recuperate! That has happened to us too, a bird will fly into the window. Poor things.

I love the golden hues of your shadow shots this week.

Autumn has arrived. Let's hope the changing foliage meets our expectations!

I love your words. I try to just be here now..but sometimes that takes effort.

Anonymous said...

Our robins have been entertaining us this week - their bright red breasts are cheerful in the wet weather!!

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

The sliver of shadow on the flowerpot reminds me that there is always more light than darkness in the world. Thank you, Robin.

SHADOW BOLD

Shadow bold and shadow bright,
Shadow with me day and night,
Shadow taller than a tree,
Tell me what you think of me!


© 2011 by Magical Mystical Teacher

Desert shadows here and here

robin. said...

THANKS for the concern for my feathered friend.
the robin turned over from it's back to sitting upright. it is all puffed out and breathing hard. still in shock!! i am hoping the little bugger will be okay. meanwhile...the cats are shooting looks at me..."why aren't we going out on this beautiful day?" sorry guys...it's a robin!!

@paula-this is a frame app in photoshop elements. reminds me of pictures from when i was a kid. i love it!!

Square Peg Guy said...

Poor robin! I, too, once heard a loud thunk on the window. I looked but couldn't see anything on the ground. Then what I saw sitting atop the bush next to the window surprised me: a young hawk! It flew away by the time my wife showed up.

Nice shadows!

Thanks for commenting on my shadow shot from a while back!

Gemma Wiseman said...

Such a rollercoaster of thoughts and emotions in this post! From sweet to melancholic beauty! And all enchanting!

Enjoyed the mellow shadows calming the earthy signs of our lives!

Lisa's RetroStyle said...

Oh my gosh...lovely shots...but so sad to hear about the robin :(

Tatjana Parkacheva said...

Excellent and very nice photos.
Sorry about the robin :(

Regards and best wishes

Linnea said...

Poor robin...hopefully he's back on his feet! They're fun little birds to observe. I like your shots and words...thanks for visiting my SS. Enjoy the day.