There is something enchanting about walking near water and I've realized that I'm happiest near the sea or a mountain stream.... or at any waters edge, for that matter. My husband loves to tell the story (and it's becoming a bit tiresome) about how whenever I'm walking in the mountains and hear a stream burbling nearby I disappear into the bracken in search of it and he knows he will find me kneeling at the waters edge to taste the water.
AT BLACKWATER POND by Mary Oliver
At Blackwater Pond the tossed waters have
settled
after a night of rain.
I dip my cupped hands. I drink
a long time. It tastes
like stone, leaves, fire. It falls cold
into my body, waking the bones. I hear them
deep inside me, whispering
oh what is that beautiful thing
that just happened?
While searching for an image to go with Mary Oliver's poem I stumbled across Maureen Shaughnessy's blog. Maureen is an artist/photographer/poet who illustrated Mary's poem, In Blackwater Woods with the artwork (above). I think Maureens's images are perfect for Mary Oliver's poetry. Read her blog post here.
"In our spiritual tradition, we give away whatever is holding us back -- whatever is troubling us -- by sitting beside running water and letting the negative feelings, thoughts, or obstacles go. We imagine the obstacles flowing away with the current, like a leaf or a twig". Maureen Shaughnessy
I love this idea. Go here to read more.
"Here is the fringey edge where elements meet and realms mingle, where time and eternity spatter each other with foam. The salt sea and the islands, molding and molding, row upon rolling row, don't quit, nor do winds end nor skies cease from spreading in curves". - Annie Dillard from Holy The Firm
Robyn, What a delight to find this post this morning. I feel exactly as you do about streams, lakes, rivers, but I love the ocean best and I miss it so living here in the Southwest. That poem made me cry, beautiful. Thank you. xoxo
ReplyDeleteToo long away from the sea makes me skittish. So glad you enjoyed the post Annie.
DeletePretty Cool!
ReplyDeleteThanks Sue!
DeleteYes, the water's edge is full of magic, as are the beautiful works you've shared with us here, including the lovely Mary Oliver poem... I'm so intrigued, I don't know whose site to check out first...
ReplyDeleteI never seem to tire of Mary Oliver's poetry. Enjoy browsing :-)
DeleteI am going to be here a long time!
ReplyDelete.... and I'm very happy to have you here.
DeleteI am with you the mountains and the ocean at once calm me, revive me, stimulate me and renew me. What lovely photographs. I am in awe of artists who create art which is transitory and fleeting as the sand castles are.
ReplyDeleteBefore the internet I had no idea about land art. What a great discovery!
Delete"Lights on the water:
ReplyDeletesouls sailing."
-- Octavio Paz
.
Dream is always Open by the water .
.
Could i please have cold champagne with that ;) being a warm day
Oh that's beautiful, M! .. "Lights on the water: souls sailing." Yes, champagne coming up. It's a blissful autumn day here.
DeleteAnother delightful post. I'm like you about the water's edge. Love to sit beside any body of moving water and especially feel deep connection with the ocean when I walk beside its edge.
ReplyDeleteHi Jo, thank you!
DeleteAhhhhh... the water's edge, I'm right with you!! Thanks for all the beauty here.
ReplyDeleteI love to share with those who love natural beauty.
DeleteI agree with VA - ahhhhh! I just love the detail and textures at the water's edge - thanks for gathering and sharing R. Go well. B
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the post Barry
Deletetodays post is outstanding to me at least water does have the calming effect! love the photos and the quotes as well. thanks
ReplyDeleteI think we forget, until we get there, just how rejuvenating it is.
Deleteyes. edges again, rich with that edginess. beautiful.
ReplyDelete...and zooming in. I just love the close-ups.
DeleteI hear you... and understand totally...
ReplyDelete:-)
DeleteMary Oliver's poetry is new to me...and I love it. Thanks for the piece you posted...and those inspiring photos and links.
ReplyDeleteI'm delighted to introduce you to Mary Oliver! You are in for such a treat Jo. Google her and enjoy!
DeleteSomething so lovely and soothing about the sound and sight of water, the stuff from whence we came. Some wonderful words and images here. Love Annie Dillard's words about the meeting of the elements. Going off to explore the wonderful links you shared. Thanks as always for the new intros.
ReplyDelete"...the fringey edge" ... Annie Dillard got my attention.
Deletethat edge, the space between where the land meets the sea, where anything can happen...
ReplyDeleteI'm taking a deep breath and feeling myself relax at the thought.
DeleteAs you know, I definitely love and need to walk beside water each day! And Maureen Shaughnessy's quote reminded me of a friend telling me about the Jewish tradition of casting sins into the water for the Jewish New Year. I don't remember the specifics, but definitely the theme was what Maureen is writing about and I think such a wonderful idea!
ReplyDeleteIt's a comforting idea, isn't it?!
DeleteMary Oliver's poetry is as close as you can get to being there -- she is such a delight. And then Annie Dillard - 'where elements meet and realms mingle' - oh my that's it exactly. The water's edge is a transformative space just waiting on us to believe. . . .
ReplyDeleteThese photos are stunning - thanks for this post.
... and then there's the joy of foraging at the water's edge where all the interesting flotsam and jetsam collects.
Deletei'm a bit of a waterbear myself...love those wee houses on what [i'm guessing] is one of my favourite beaches [ in San Francisco?]
ReplyDeleteYes, it's a beach in San Francisco, India. Next time you are there you will be able to picture Chad's suburban sand castles.
DeleteHi Robyn! I have not visited in awhile, and of course it was a pleasure to come back for a visual feast. Thank you for continuing on with your beautifully curated collection.
ReplyDeleteHi Karine :-)
Deletebeautiful images
ReplyDeleteThanks Rebeca.
DeleteBeautiful choice of imagery to go with the theme of the post!
ReplyDeleteSeth, I felt very soothed by the end of the post :-)
DeleteI love your blog posts on nature.. you find the most beautiful poetry and images and art works and weave them all together as the perfect homage to nature.
ReplyDeleteRobyn, the way you used the quote, poem and images from my post ... it is absolutely beautiful and perfect. Thank you for including me in such a magical, well crafted post. Very inspiring. I really like your entire blog and have now saved it to my newsfeed so I can remember to come back often and be inspired. <3
ReplyDeleteMaureen, I'm so happy that you enjoyed the post. Your blog has given me many hours of pleasure. We've been away and I'm looking forward to catching up with your posts.
Delete