Equinox…. A time to think about balance….
But balance is not mere stasis. And just now it is the movements, the transitions that maintain the balance, that are delighting me.
The summer’s “duck dramas” on the pond seem to be winding down. Mysteries remain: early in the spring Mama Merganser and her 9 ducklings disappeared overnight as did Mallard Mama #3 and her six little ones about a month ago. Still Mallard Mamas #1 and #2 each successfully raised 2 of the 4 ducklings with which each began. Family #1 has flown. The second family still spends some time in the pond, and every day that we see those three we sigh with satisfaction, like proud grandparents.
So much continues to happen all around me every day.
Several days ago I received a prompt suggesting that I write — in 10 minutes — a poem following the structure and including the beginning & ending lines of an old Celtic verse: “I have news for you.” and “This is my news for you.” I thought it would be fun to try writing it with some of the things I’d seen during the past week. Here I’ve tidied it up a bit, but I am still surprised by where the hasty writing lead me:
APPROACHING THE AUTUMN EQUINOX I have news for you: Each evening, the sun sinks earlier under the comforting wing of night. Drought departs and rains offer a final chance for ripening. Leaves hold their green, but colder winds hint at the limits of growth. Every day the woodpeckers create their cache, packing seeds in the deep crevices and wrinkles of old oak's skin. The deer begin to gather. New antlers adorn feisty young bucks while the does patiently prepare for next year's fecundity. One bright morning this year's fawn emerged alone from the woods -- just the faintest echo of dappling lingering along her flank. She paused to stare at this intruder in her meadow, then sprang exuberantly -- leap after arcing leap -- up and over the hill. This is my news for you: Prepare to change.
by MCK — after an old Celtic verse, author unknown
I live in a state of wonder.
Sharing Trickster's Hoard 
Balance and wonder: The sacred revered Banyan tree in Maui is sprouting forth new leaves- the balance of the devastation coupled with the tenacity and spirit of this tree and in this, you find wonder…
In his book, Walking in Wonder, John O’Donohue writes:”…If you look as thought as a circle, and if, half the circle is the infusion of wonder, then the thought will be kind, it will be gracious, and it will also be compassionate, because wonder and compassion are sisters.”
In the past, life did not allow for moments of pause, wonder and finding balance as duties, responsibilities, filled the da. I believe it to be the way for many of us until time flows into our elder years. Our elder time gifts us with the understanding needed to balance ourselves, removing us from the previous see-saw days of our lives. Now in my elder years, the joy of greeting each day at dawn, stilling myself to notice what presents, is second nature and a spiritual practice.. John O’Donohue says about this: “There are great primal thresholds in life, and one of the most beautiful and most encouraging and most healing is the threshold of dawn, when darkness gives way to the light and novelty and wonder of a new day”
I feel so joyous in coming to know this wonder….
*This comment is by Mart because lately, blog platforms seem to have issues with comments.
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beautifully crafted words that echo the world outside my window … the slow tilt of the earth into its next version of itself …
I wonder what the next passage through summer will bring, what further extremes will occur … perhaps there is a poem to be found in that
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the prompts are Excellent…they open to Everything
thank you
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11/18. I come back now and again to sit with the stones
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Stones in repose… But I think too of all the living stones in movement as they interact with water, wind, their own inner fire — and with our human desires.
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Back again
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I keep coming back now and then, to your post “For Today”, The prompts, and your “prompt poem” ~ inspiring, balancing, and many other responses of my mind, and heart that I just say to you ~ Thank You!
I am also thanking you again for the blessing from your hearts, of the Raven Shawl you sent last year. It shimmered in the outdoor sunshine ~ alive and beckoning to me ~ in all of the best ways. It is art where I keep it hanging to look at and touch when I happen to walk by, or deliberately go to it and wrap myself in it.
So here are a couple of my small thank yous, for the wisdom, delight, and purely living inspiration, at this holiday season, and Winter Solstice.
[image: Raven and Moon Winter Solstice 2023 (1).jpeg] Raven and Moon Winter Solstice 2023
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I am so glad Raven found a happy home!
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hallo Margery , i’m a verry late visiter here , reed those words and stand still by the ” inner fire ” of stones ; thank you for that . i the words also the stones in our home and place , even somme walls with somme big stone’s , i have ask them … do you feel alright in this wall ? between the other parts of you one’s you are one big piece i can feel that
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