In an unruly, extravagant wild,
weathered golden rocks crown a precious land.
Bluebells burst through scrub, moss and brambles.
Nests are built and slept in,
oft times disturbed by approaching footsteps.
The occupants rise up in startled flight,
Roots stir, a greening bud opens and
you are held in awe of a tiny flower,
unaware of its presence
until it comes upon its beauty
with the connection felt.
Photo taken on Great Saltee Island, Wexford – by Teri Flynn (MaskedNative)
It was good to stop and take a halfway moment, allowing my mind to wander into forgotten dreams, surrounding myself with thoughts of softness, kindness, strength, and the pleasure of just being here. The unfolding was encouraging,
Halfway down the crumbling wooden steps, the sound of waves rolling onto sand.
Halfway through January, the morning has warmed to three degrees.
Halfway between here and there, thoughts of scrambling autumn blackberries, and
yellow wild flowers nestling amongst the scrub.
Raindrops in a line on the tips of thin grass.
My halfway thoughts linger on all the small jewels.
Breathe
White, foamy sea spilling into rock pools.
Seaweed fingers rise and fall.
Sunlight flickers like fireflies on the sultry sway.
The dark cave beckons but all there is to do is simply
breathe, breathe, breathe.
Life is difficult at times. Worries are carried like a heavy burden on our backs, but how quickly they can dissolve.
A song overheard connects us to a happy memory.
An understanding smile from a friend, no words needed.
The absolute certainty of day and night and the belief that tomorrow will be different.
The image above was one of those moments, holding me in the stillness of a gentle day.
Along with the seagull observing his world of light on water, we were spellbound for a while.
Photo – taken in Dunmore East by Teri Flynn
13th March 2018
Under a three forked tree, wind blows through the noisy caw of crows.
They seem to own the woods here.
Trees of great height and fallen, filtered sunlight, daffodils and bark littered ground.
I want to walk through the woods but I’m on my own and not sure whether to take the risk. What if……..
Sitting on a bench just inside the turnstile gate allows for pause and reflection. Behind me, emerging daffodils grow in circles around palm trees. Beyond the low brick wall overlooking the lower village, there is a clear view of the beach and surrounding cliffs. I watch a small child at the waters edge, she dares the tide to stop at her feet, watching intently as it almost does. Gulls fly swiftly past. A grey container ship moves slowly out to open sea. In between gathering grey clouds, the sun warms my winter-pale face.
Walkers with children enter through the turnstile. There is safety in numbers and so I allow them five minutes or so to go ahead before following at a reasonable distance. Tall trees on either side of the path are aware of my touch on their rough bark. They watch and listen as I acknowledge their presence in my heart. Amongst the decay of fallen trees, hundreds of daffodils, buds not yet evident, line the edges of the path. Clumps of tiny white bell shaped flowers stand proud above the bracken. The music of the woods is tuning up for spring, new life sprung from the old.
A snowflake wends its way to earth,
dissolving on your hand.
Two or three and more leave
snow pearls in your hair.
You lift your face to the sky,
receive snow kisses on your skin,
hold your breath
as the magic gathers
and in the drifting white
the world is transfigured.
In an awesome quiet
you listen to the morning,
and birdsong,
that echoes deep into your heart.
For Heather Dawn Kemp
Chopin’s Seagull ballet
to
Air On A ‘G’ String.
Photo ©Teri Flynn
Water prickling,
seeping through pebbles,
over and under to the far-out sea.
Come back, come back, be filled.
One lonely gull,
no more than that to prove I exist,
here, now.
Mounds of brown sea-weed,
great lumps of slime and slither on denser rock.
The scent of ozone everywhere
neither sweet nor pungent, in my lungs, my mind.
Xylophone tinkles on pebbles,
Power of Cello in wise old rocks.
Trumpet call from standing trees
that hold the cliffs a few days more.
A muffled silence in sagging,
rain filled clouds,
the long, lonely, notes roaring in my ears.
9pm. The tide creeps slowly in.A seagull flies overhead. The helicopter returns, sees me here, sitting on this rock.
Like an angel come to see if I’m alright, I’ll be alright, It tilts in acknowledgement, so low above, then returns to it’s watchful duty over the estuary, returning over and over like an old friend.
Hold fast to the tiller,
to Gods of wind and waves.
Through storms and dreams,
through heartbeat of wings
that arc and swoop and cry for land.
Art © 2014 TCFlynn @ Masked Native
In response to ivonprefontaine blog post, TakingThe Helm, I am making a return to WordPress with this updated post. With thanks for his word prompt Adrift and look forward to catching up with my WordPress friends again.
