Last night’s thunderstorm was incredible. I can’t remember the last time we went to the basement to shelter during a storm. But last night we headed to the basement and stayed there for quite awhile. This morning when I got up I saw this little new leaf plastered to the outside of the dining room window.
And I saw that a large branch on the graceful tree across the pond had broken off in the high winds of the storm.
The Beat Goes On
It was another reminder that no matter what we might desire, change is the only constant. The land around us, our bodies, family members, friends, our country, the city—everything is in motion. Everything changes.
After the storm the ocean returned without fanfare to its old offices; the tide climbed into the snow-covered shore and then receded; so there was the world: sky, water, the pale sand and, where the tide had reached that day’s destination, the snow.
And this detail: the body of a duck, a golden-eye; and beside it one black-backed gull. In the body of the duck, among the breast feathers, a hole perhaps an inch across; the color within the hole a shouting red. And bend it as you might, nothing was to blame: storms must toss, and the great black-backed gawker must eat, and so on. It was merely a moment. The sun, angling out from the bunched clouds, cast one could easily imagine tenderly over the landscape its extraordinary light.
— Mary Oliver, New and Selected Poems Volume Two
Before the storm
After the storm
Two years ago another large part of this tree went down in another storm falling into the pond. The next winter the city crews waited until the pond was frozen to remove the parts of the tree that they could get to above the surface of the pond.
More Trees Gone
Up the hill in the same park city crews removed numerous ash trees last fall and early winter to protect from emerald ash borer spread. The landscape looks quite desolate this spring. It will take time for new plants and trees to replace all of those that were taken down.
One of the things I’ve decided to add to my list for this spring is to contact the city and ask if I might plant 2-3 trees in the park. It would feel so good to give back in this way to an area that has nourished my soul. And planting trees is a good way to help the earth.
West Wind
If there is life after the earth-life, will you come with me? Even then? Since we’re bound to be something, why not be together. Imagine! Two little stones, two fleas under the wing of a gull, flying along through the fog! Or, ten blades of grass. Ten loops of honeysuckle, all flung against each other, at the edge of Race Road! Beach plums! Snowflakes, coasting into winter woods, making a very small sound, like this
soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
as they marry the dusty bodies of the pitch pines. Or rain—that gray light running over the sea, pocking it, lacquering it, coming, all morning and afternoon, from the west wind’s youth and abundance and jollity—pinging and jangling down upon the roofs of Provincetown.
— Mary Oliver, New and Selected Poems Volume Two
Bird Visitations
Yesterday I put up my hummingbird feeder outside the kitchen window. With the long cold spring I put off putting it up, then forgot about it until yesterday. This morning there was a female hummingbird at the feeder already! Joy!
And I saw an indigo bunting at the bird feeders outside my office window this morning along with flurries of goldfinches flitting here and there. They bring such cheer to the day with their bright yellow feathers! I also saw a cardinal, red-winged blackbirds, numerous kinds of woodpeckers, house finches, and cow birds at the feeders.
I’m heading out for a walk before it gets too hot. Wishing you a joyous day my friends.
May you walk in beauty.
Here are a few more photos from my visit to the Arboretum Tuesday.
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