I wandered through the forest, lost and bereft, until I came across a sacred grove. The tree in the center was broken and battered like me, yet its form was that of a cross. Not unlike myself when I extend my arms up to shoulder height and hold them there. But I was too tired to stand there like the tree with my arms held aloft. It was no small thing just to be present most days, let alone holding a pose. So, I sat in the center of the sacred grove and I asked the tree for some of its strength.
A new poem about what can grow in our heart space…
What If A Tulip Sprang?
What if a tulip sprang,
from my heart?
What if the tender sprouts
rose up from my heart
until they became leaves
that spread
within my heat space,
healing
my weary soul.
Oh, those strong green leaves
rising from the Earth,
do they not form
the shape of
the bottom of
the heart.
They are the base
that holds up
the flower.
The stem begins to grow.
It is taller than
the leaves
and on top of the stem
forms a bud.
The bud begins to grow.
Soon that bud
Presents the faint hint
of color.
Then the bud
begins to open.
It forms fully into
a ripe tulip
rich with hues
of magenta,
white and green.
No ordinary tulip,
this one.
This tulip
It unfolds all ruffly
like a skirt with a petticoat
and that is the crux
of its beauty.
Each petal is a piece
of my heart.
Each petal is a layer
of my life.
Each petal
is the soft,
sweet,
gentle space
I hold
In my heart.
What if
a tulip sprang
from my heart?
If a tulip sprang
from my heart,
it would surely signify
my heart is open,
and I too
can unfold
like the ruffled tulip
that sprang up
from the Earth.
Peace, love, joy – these, according to St. Paul, are the three fruits of the spirit. They correspond very closely to the three essential attributes of God, as summarized in the Indian formula, sat, chit, ananda – being, knowledge, bliss. Peace is the manifestation of unified being. Love is the mode of divine knowledge. And bliss, the concomitant of perfection, is the same as joy. ~ Aldous Huxley: Huxley and God
In early November 2020, I planted about 100 bulbs in my first year pandemic garden. My elbow has never been quite the same after all that digging, but it was well worth the nagging pain that comes and goes with over use. Having lived in my apartment since fall 2018, I had not gardened at all. But like many stuck at home from the COVID pandemic, I found myself longing to garden so that I could be outside and not around other people. Who knew back then that COVID would drag out so long. I didn’t.
I was delighted by the bulbs that sprouted up last spring, and spent a lot of time last spring and summer photographing the flowers in my garden. I did series of the same flowers from bud until they passed on. I did series of pollinators feeding on the flowers in my gardens. I whiled away the time, staying safe at home, with my gardens and my camera.
I’ve been in the place in my life many times that I need to ask for help. For some of us, just asking for help can be difficult. I know this, because it’s often been hard for me to ask for help in the past. Sometimes even now. I do what I can, when I can, to help others, because it is always the right thing to do…
In a world filled with uncertainty we can all strive to make a difference. With every step we take towards lending a helping hand we can all pray that our helping hand is welcomed. We seek not for acknowledgement for we know in our hearts what we do is right and good. That is the blessing we receive, the knowledge in our hearts that we have done something for someone else. May I give to someone who needs my help today.
In the springtime, every day reveals a little more color, a little more beauty, a little more joy to revel in.
May your day be filled with color, beauty, and joy and may you share your bounty in kindness to others. 💛
Related Images:
Musing and Rambling
Sometimes I muse and I ramble because I can... I muse about life and things that matter to me...
Donate or Subscribe…
Your donations or subscriptions help keep my freelance writing and photography here online. Thank you in advance for your support. ~ Pamela Leavey
To Purchase Pamela Leavey’s Photography
If you are interested in purchasing photography on this website please use Menu links to my Photography Shop or use the Contact Page to inquire about the availability of a particular image that you are interested in.
Include the link to the page that the image is on, and type “Photography Purchase” in the subject line of your message.
Prints are available for most of the photos on the website that are watermarked “Pamela J Leavey” or “Pamela Leavey.”
