Photo: Grace@Everyday Amazing
In another part of our country, towards the west, a wildfire in Fort McMurray rages on. People are evacuating and moving to safer towns leaving behind their burning homes. I think about other cities burning now, not just from wildfires, but from war. Migrants are still drowning and dying in their journey. The political conversation across our border (US) is just as nasty with words of hate and destruction. I walk steadily along path, marveling the weeping willow trees and few magnolia blooms.
I inhale the cold spring air. The stress of the workdays and negative thoughts unravel and disappear. My spirit embraces the new season of beginnings. I see the field dotted with yellow daffodils and birds and baby squirrels leaping behind the bush. The meadow is greening with dew and evening rain. I smell pine cones and wet soil ready for seeding. Potted flowers hung from the balconies, welcoming to home.
cardinals pirouette
as nature gifts me with spring flowers-
my heart is at peace
“Home is everything you can walk to.”
I see such walk and with that environment as a way to heal. We do need it with all the negative thoughts we might carry. It's like a burden that gradually gets lighter... The spring air and the bloom is a wonderful company.
ReplyDeleteLove the contrast in this. So much heartbreak world wide (I've been consumed by that fire in Alberta) and so much chaos. Bravo to nature, our healer.
ReplyDeleteEven down south here, we have haze in the morning and evenings from the particles from that horrible fire. I take my morning walk and when I return home, think of those people in Ft. Monroe and my heart and prayers go to them. The contrast from heartbreak to new beginnings to peace is simply wonderful. Cardinals pirouette....I love it! Flowers, dancing birds...the haiku is full of joy.
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ReplyDeleteThe contrast you present here is heartbreaking. You've created an interesting effect-- the images of human destruction in your first paragraph linger to imbue the beautiful images "the weeping willow trees and few magnolia blooms" / "the meadow... greening and dewing with evening" with an ominous melancholy, even while the speaker's sense of relief to commune with nature is palpable
ReplyDeleteContrast is key in your poem. It is interesting how one society can never be so sure to remain on top, while another one suffers. Things can change without warning, whether due to war or nature or something else.
ReplyDeleteA good walk can let the crap float away indeed.
ReplyDeleteWild fires are still raging about 600km north of where I live ... cooler weather, but strong winds ... other than that, the country is blooming ... the lacs are my favourite ... will visit Vic, BC, the pink city ... shortly ... smiles ... Love, cat.
ReplyDelete... oops ... "lilacs" I meant to say ... smiles ...
DeleteI find much peace in walking too, and release of stress. You bring up all the details that come together to a marvelous whole, even the small animals that cross our path.
ReplyDeleteI love the contrast in this and the finding of peace on the walk. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteIt comes recommended from some guru somewhere that in times of extreme stress to embrace beauty. It helps not only oneself, but the larger situation. It really does.
ReplyDeleteLovely!
ReplyDeleteIt's so true... a walk can purge your mind of so many bad stuff floating around. Nice job, Grace.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place you live and walk in Grace, I felt there with you though I do feel for the people involved in the current bushfires in Port McMurray
ReplyDeleteYes, stress and worries "unravel and disappear" when we walk attentively.
ReplyDeleteLovely pictures, and an uplifting haibun.
ReplyDeleteraging fire, war, stress of life and a peaceful ambiance, rebirth in Spring so wonderfully contrasted..love the haiku...
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ReplyDeleteHi Grace! There's nothing more liberating than a morning walk to distract you from the horrible things going on around you. I used to walk our dog (sadly long gone) every morning before anyone else was up because it gave me the freedom to think. I refuse to watch the morning news because it just clutters my mind. I love the image of cardinals pirouetting, dispersing the bad and leaving space for the gracious gift of spring flowers. ;)
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to those people dispossessed - whether by wildfire or war. Your morning walk was a thoughtful one.
ReplyDeleteCardinals pirouette --- LOVE this!
ReplyDeleteYes -- the fires are ravaging and their smoke has reached far telling the tale of anguish and displacement. Those displaced are in our prayers -- it is so very difficult to flee fire - leaving so much behind -- that will not be there when they return.
It strikes me....these words do indeed relate to those in the McMurray area and immigrants too.
Beautiful. A healing walk, indeed. My thoughts and prayers are with those experiencing the wildfires.
ReplyDeleteYes Im so sad with all these people are suffering with all the fires Grace. So sad.
ReplyDeleteYour poem is fresh and lovely.
Love the picture. xo
I think that walk and attunement to nature is the best thing we can do for ourselves. Grace, did you hear on CBC today about the young mother of a seven year old girl, who fled with her daughter on a moment's notice from Fort McMurray? Not only is she suffering from this evacuation, but it has revived memories of her and her own mother fleeing the Congo due to war when SHE was seven years old. I hope a counsellor contacts her, as she clearly is reliving two evacuations and is traumatized. She really touched my heart.
ReplyDeleteI love when spring does this to us. Beautifully writ, Grace.
ReplyDeletenature gifts me with spring flowers-
ReplyDeletemy heart is at peace
fortunate to be in peaceful circumstances as opposed to other troubled areas. Nice to be home certainly Grace!
Hank
The reality of their loss must be so overwhelming. My heart aches for them. Your haibun brings a universal view, including those who suffer in war torn places.
ReplyDeleteThe second stanza brings hope and light, a stark and welcome contrast to the devastation of this unruly fire.
Yes, peace comes in small moments and the restorative powers of nature.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful stream of consciousness piece that moves from burdensome thoughts to life-affirming observations and introspection ... culminating beautifully in a lovely haiku.
ReplyDeleteAmerica has become un-American. Walking among the fresh scents of nature would require a sea change of our consciousness here.
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