secret notebooks • wild pages: Waiting for a Parade?

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Waiting for a Parade?

Did I mention we had some heavy wet snow here? This guy had to be at least 8' tall, towering on the side of the road as I made my way to work this morning...

7 comments:

Ange said...: Ha! This looks very like the forest I drive through (and run though) to take the kids to school! Only, when we have snow, it's a huge shock to the area so there are cars everywhere due to the ice ;-); January 19, 2010 9:10 PM
Suz said...: I so enjoy your joy
good photo
and fun; January 19, 2010 10:15 PM
Teri said...: Looks like you have large amounts of snow still around. We are just being inundated with rain...lots of rain. And huge (50mph +) winds! I think I'd much prefer the snow right now. At least you can get some exercise in it. Too wet and windy here to go out. Love his nose!; January 19, 2010 11:24 PM
Annotated Margins said...: Something so enormously cold, and yet so warming!; January 20, 2010 2:52 AM
相信 said...: Every why has a wherefore.........................................; January 20, 2010 3:36 AM
Bethany said...: He does look like he's waiting for a parade. I love him. Glad you got the photo. He was waiting just for you, with open arms.
I have slowed down on blog reading and commenting. Saved you for last, so I could really savor and take time.
You never disappoint.; January 20, 2010 11:22 PM
JC said...: I want to make a snowman! Need some snow first though.; January 21, 2010 11:47 PM

Meditation on Affliction

Assailed by afflictions, we discover dharma and find the way to liberation. Thank you, evil forces!

When sorrows invade the mind, we discover dharma and find lasting happiness. Thank you, sorrows!

Through harm caused by spirits we discover dharma and find fearlessness. Thank you, ghosts and demons!

Through people's hate we discover dharma and find benefits and happiness. Thank you, those who hate us!

Through cruel adversity, we discover dharma and find the unchanging way. Thank you, adversity!

Through being impelled to by others, we discover dharma and find the essential meaning. Thank you, all who drive us on!

We dedicate our merit to you all, to repay your kindness.

— Gyalwa Longchenpa

Who Says Words With My Mouth?

All day I think about it, then at night I say it.
Where did I come from, and what am I supposed to be doing?
I have no idea.
My soul is from elsewhere, I'm sure of that,
and I intend to end up there.

This drunkenness began in some other tavern.
When I get back around to that place,
I'll be completely sober. Meanwhile,
I'm like a bird from another continent, sitting in this aviary.
The day is coming when I fly off,
but who is it now in my ear who hears my voice?
Who says words with my mouth?

Who looks out with my eyes? What is the soul?
I cannot stop asking.
If I could taste one sip of an answer,
I could break out of this prison for drunks.
I didn't come here of my own accord, and I can't leave that way.
Whoever brought me here will have to take me home.

This poetry, I never know what I'm going to say.
I don't plan it.
When I'm outside the saying of it,
I get very quiet and rarely speak at all.

— Rumi

The Journey

One day you finally knew
what you had to do, and began,
though the voices around you
kept shouting
their bad advice--
though the whole house
began to tremble
and you felt the old tug
at your ankles.
"Mend my life!"
each voice cried.
But you didn't stop.
You knew what you had to do,
though the wind pried
with its stiff fingers
at the very foundations,
though their melancholy
was terrible.
It was already late
enough, and a wild night,
and the road full of fallen
branches and stones.
But little by little,
as you left their voices behind,
the stars began to burn
through the sheets of clouds,
and there was a new voice
which you slowly
recognized as your own,
that kept you company
as you strode deeper and deeper
into the world,
determined to do
the only thing you could do--
determined to save
the only life you could save.

Mary Oliver

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Waiting for a Parade?

7 comments:

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