"As for me, I know nothing else but miracles,
Whether I walk the streets of Manhattan,
Or dart my sight over the roofs of houses toward the sky,
Or wade with naked feet along the beach just in the edge of the water,
Or stand under the trees in the woods,
Or talk by day with any one I love,
Or sleep in bed at night with any one I love,
Or watch honey bees busy around the hive of a summer forenoon...
Or the wonderfulness of the sundown,
Or of stars shining so quiet and bright,
Or the exquisite delicate thin curve of the new moon in spring...
What stranger miracles are there?"
--Walt Whitman--
I happened across the above poem yesterday, and it certainly hit home. Here we are already halfway through August; summer is almost gone...and I've done nothing to enjoy it. Granted, it hasn't been the easiest of summers to deal with. I cannot recalling a summer that was this hot and humid. It was dreadful enough just trying to make it back and forth to work...let alone spend any unnecessary time out there...and because of this, I've missed out on so much.
As I read this poem, I was reminded that I've not seen a honey bee this year, nor have I enjoyed the brilliant flashes of the lightning bugs. Even at night it has been too hot; there's been barely a breeze to sweep the hot, humid air away. Throughout the summer, I've been in such a hurry to escape the heat that I have not taken the time to look around at all the beautiful flowers, trees, grass, and the sky above...sitting outdoors and watching as the sun goes down, the locusts whispering in the trees, (yes, I have them here.), and the joyful chirping of the birds awakening me from my nightly sleep. These are some of the things I have missed out on this summer...the miracles of life, of nature.
Alas, it is still not too late. There is still time to enjoy, to savor...time to give thanks for the gifts of nature. The miracles of summer are all around. It's time to stop, look, and listen...life is far to short to allow even one season pass by without noticing it.
"To see the Summer Sky
Is Poetry, though never in a Book it lie -
True Poems flee" --Emily Dickenson--
Is Poetry, though never in a Book it lie -
True Poems flee" --Emily Dickenson--
Yes, it is so easy to miss these pleasures of the summer season - this year in particular I've soaking up all the little simple pleasures of summer that I can regardless of the sometimes hot humid days - for I feel the cold barreness of winter coming along quickly.
ReplyDeleteSobeit
I so hear you... I have had my share of bees this year... and I have loved them. I think the added flowers lured them over... Our heat broke a bit today with a cold front that came in. I sat on the porch all morning enjoying the northeast breeze... It was wonderful.... Hope it hits your way soon so that you also can make your way outdoors a bit more..blessings
ReplyDeleteFrankly, I'll be glad to see this summer gone. With all the heat and humidity it reminds me to much of Nam. I'm a fall person anyway. That's the time of year that excites me the most.
ReplyDeleteGreat quote by Emily at the end of your post. X.
Think it's been that kind of a summer just about everywhere.
ReplyDeletePicked my first tomato a few weeks earlier this year than is usual, so that was good.:0)
BUT yes too hot to enjoy the outdoors and don't my yard weeds show it.
They too loved this summer. Too hot to weed and they thrived on this heat and sun as well as the flowers & shrubs.
You know what they say in MA..............there is always next year.
God willing, there will be.
alas, it too has been really hot and humid here as well. Thank goodness I do actually get out in the evenings due to my job, its those nights that i look up to the moon in all her silvery substance casting that beautiful night glow that makes me glad at that moment to be blessed enough to acknowledge her. I should have paid more attention to the outdoors as well its just so DARN hot! But I fully intend to make up for it this fall! I can't wait...Loved your pics...Brightest blessings )o(
ReplyDeleteHi I am a new visitor and follower via onereone. She is so right your blog is beautiful and that post just made me feel so good. I feel I missed the whole summer because my family has been dealing with trauma for the past 2 month's. Now that everything is close to being okay you have reminded me; it's not too late. I am going to find some water to stick my feet in!
ReplyDeleteHaha - I'm ready for summer to be over! This mugginess is really getting to me. If I were out in the country, then it'd be a different story but I haven't been able to enjoy the summer at all, being smack dab in the center of this urban inferno! :) I want Autumn to hurry up and get here already.
ReplyDeleteBtw, do you happen to know where I can find some black candles here? I'm looking to do a banishing/purification ritual. I went to Enchantments in the EV yesterday and their "black" candles were a dark shade of purple and even though I know it's all symbolic and it really shouldn't make that big of a difference, but I still don't feel 100% comfortable using them for some bizarre reason. And I don't think the shops are stocking black & orange candles (for Halloween) yet. :-P
it seems that we have both been experiencing extremes of weather..
ReplyDeletethis year, I have felt the cold more than ever before.. spring is on its way & I know I must try to enjoy the last straggling days of winter before they disappear for another year.
This is true! Thank you for reminding me :0) I've been away and have not had a chance to read your latest posts (I have no computer connection at our summer place)I am leaving again tomorrow bu as soon as I return I will surely catch up. I don't want to miss a thing! Hugs
ReplyDeleteIt has been a hot and humid summer! The evenings and early mornings are my favorite,they are still humid, but not as hot. I have always loved summer and all of the outdoor activity, but this year, not so much outdoor activities. Even the little guys don't like it out "there". Wishing you a cool breeze so that you may enjoy your evening.
ReplyDelete(((HUGS)))