One Bird Watching


THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2009

The Title

Last weekend, my sister introduced me to New Harmony, Indiana, a social experiment from the 1800's that has become a modern refuge of peace and beauty in today's world. While there, I stumbled across a poem posted near a lake behind the inn. The author was not named, probably because he/she wanted the poem to stand as a tribute to the Creator rather than to its creator:

Stranger

When no one listens
To the quiet trees,
When no one notices
The sun in the pool;

When no one feels
The first drop of rain,
Or sees the last star;

Or hails the first morning
Of a giant world
Where the peace begins
And rages end:

One bird sits still
Watching the work of God:
One turning leaf,
Two falling blossoms,
Ten circles upon the pond.

As we stood there reading and re-reading these stunning words, a giant blue heron with a wing span of at least 10-12 feet glided across the lake and landed about 50 feet away from us. Slowly he turned to face the water and stood quietly watching the "ten circles upon the pond," the "turning leaves," and the "falling blossoms." The moment was electric. We wondered whether the bird had been somehow trained to arrive at the precise moment of visitors reading the poem, but finally decided that the moment was truly a gift.

I wished desperately to find notecards or at least a poster with the poem and a blue heron during my visit to New Harmony, but it seems no one has taken on that mission. Were I an artist, I would set up a kiosk somewhere in town to sell my inspiration. That being somewhat impractical, though, I have decided to begin this blog as a tribute to the unknown author and to the blue heron which brought the poem to life for me.

So much of my life seems to be like that moment: watching the work of God. It is my desire to share some of my observations with others that has led to this blog. My wish is that it will do for you what the blue heron and an unknown poet has done for me.

Posted by Gayle at 11:39 AM 0 comments

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Followers



Blog Archive

• ▼ 2009 (1)

o ▼ October (1)

 The Title



About Me

Death and Resurrection

What if death were but the beginning of resurrection, as Karl Rahner says? What if death were but the release of our own individual spirits into this universe, particularly into the spirits of those who love us? What if our presence after death continued in this world "through closed doors," as Jesus appeared after His resurrection?

Death, then, would simply be another dimension of our earthly existence. If we have been "born again," re-created in the spirit and image of God, our released spirits would continue to re-construct this world in order and harmony. If we have not been born again in the spirit and image of God, then our released spirits would continue to pour our hatred, destruction, and negative energy into this world forever.

Paul says we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces which dominate the air---powers and dominions, in his words. But we know we are surrounded by a "great cloud of witnesses," souls washed clean in the blood of Christ, and that these souls (spirits) are a help to us in our earthly existence.

In life and in death, we keep company with those who are like us in spirit and in truth. Tomorrow is the Feast of All Saints, all those whose spirits are like God's and who have allowed themselves to be brought into the company of the holy ones. Tonight, the world "celebrates" those who still roam the earth seeking the ruin of souls.

Food for Soul and Body

Beets, tomatoes, cabbage, potatoes, corn, squash---You open your hand and provide for every living thing, O Lord! The perfect variety of food, the range of colors and textures and tastes and nutrients are a miracle of everyday life.

Not only has God provided for our health, but for our taste and our sense of beauty and variety. We marvel at what we see in the garden even before we appreciate the range of tastes and textures. The earth proclaims not only the glory of God, but His exquisite love and care for the children of men.

We see, we enjoy, and our souls are satisfied with goodness even as our bodies are nourished and our health sustained.