Saturday, April 9, 2011

rays


some of the plants were so in love with brother sun that they arranged their bodies to mirror his own.


even as their bodies were preparing to revibrate themselves into another form,
they carried their symmetrical arrays through the soft hues of decay with grace.


how do they know to do this?

32 comments:

Elisabeth said...

There's a deal of order and symmetry in the above shots, Steven and yet your header sparkles with a sort of chaotic decadence. Both apply. It's wonderful.

Jinksy said...

What beautiful thoughts and pictures to accompany the beginning of my day - thank you!

aguja said...

Your post immediately brought to mind Blake's lines:

'What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry'

because I am always in awe of symmetry in nature and the 'how'

I agree with Elizabeth's description of the 'chaotic decadence' above. It contrasts beautifully, the symmetry.

OceanoAzul.Sonhos said...

Good morning steven.
In fact even the plants search for the sunlight and the state of grace. Nature and humanity always in search of happiness. It's so beautiful.
oa.s

Titus said...

Stunning! Words and images.

Radcliffe said...

Just stumbled upon your blog from Acornmoon. Your photos are beautiful.

steven said...

elisabeth i am so oblivious to my obliviousness at times! the juxtaposition of those photographs is definitely worthy of note as the header shot catches the seasonal shift in ym area with nature throwing all her cards on the table to pick out the next hand. meanwhile down in cuba where the season is more firmly established - everything is in order!! thanks elisabeth. steven

steven said...

jinksy! you're very welcome. steven

steven said...

aguja - blake hovers as a asort of spiritual aesthetic angel for me so invoking his words here is special to me. i see what you are saying. steven

steven said...

oa.s, i agree. i believe that all and everything gives grace - it's like love - it isn't a choice, it simply is. all, and everything seeks out grace and love like the long lost friends that they are. steven

Lorenzo — Alchemist's Pillow said...

As always, a delight for the eye and soul.

steven said...

titus thankyou. steven

steven said...

lorenzo!!! it's a special joy to bring delight into the world. i'm so happy that you are there to share in it. steven

steven said...

hello radcliffe and welcome!! valerie's blog and especially her artwork are a special connection we share. thankyou for your kind comment. steven

Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed. said...

awe-inspiring precision inducing reverence

fabulous header steven - all your headers are stunning, but I just love this one!

steven said...

bonnie - to be symmetrical in any feature of life takes consideration, forethought even! thankyou for your generous comment about the header photo. i love that it has so many layers each talking to each other. elements from all four seasons. steven

Reya Mellicker said...

There is some beautiful, radiant DNA genius embedded in these beings. Gorgeous, gorgeous.

Who doesn't love Brother Sun?

steven said...

reya - it's a deep and wise genius for sure!!! steven

Kathleen said...

It's as if their joy is so uncontainable, they must spread it in every direction. And their utter openness reminds me that of how important that is to connection with the divine. I believe they also have points at the tip, correct? A reminder of our limitations as well? I do love you see the world, Steven. I'm so glad we're pals.
Blessings~

steven said...

kathleen! these plants have very pointy points - oh yes they do! seeing these plants - well any plant, reminds me of how incredible each living thing is. how improbable that beauty - which is entirely unique in both the being and the sharing and the perceiving - should be the frist clue to the deeper riches that lead to the love that connects all things. pauline i'm glad we're pals also! steven

Dan Gurney said...

Ray-diant beauty! The beauty and joy of plants is astonishing and at times overwhelming. That sense of wonder increases when we reflect on the intelligence behind their forms. As you ask, how DO they know how to do this? And most of all, to consider the wisdom and generosity of the plant kingdom is to see them for the miracles they are.

Thank you for raysing this topic in such a beatiful way!

Ruth said...

How do they know. And how do you/we see. It takes a little mindfulness, close looking, and wonders like this show up. So wonderful, Steven.

Your header is stunning. Those are my favorite colors in combination: teal and shades of brown.

hope said...

My first thought was, "Wow, when did the Sun turn green?" :)

Nicely done, as always!

Jo said...

Steven, a mathmetician might point to "phi" or an artist to the "Golden ratio" to answer your question. A philosopher would quote Voltaire, and a priest would quote the scriptures.

I prefer to listen to the poets...what is your opinion?

steven said...

dan - i see plants and trees as vectors to the deeper mapping of this place. they offer so much without condition. the learning we can experience from that simple act alone is immense. steven

steven said...

ruth - i'm grateful for the happiness that has come out of the header photo. i'm also grateful for your acknowledgement of the quality of mindfulness that accompanies the unpacking of the surface of this world. steven

steven said...

hi hope that's why i wondered my wonder when i wrote this piece. thankyou for your kind comment. steven

steven said...

jo - i share the golden ratio piece with my grade six kids each year and see their eyes and minds go wow! because it really is wow. so to answer your question: i would read the poetry, learn the math, listen to the philosopher and then i would ask the plant. steven

* said...

The symmetry in nature is boggling, isn't it? And beautiful.

(And now to settle on picking just one of your poems to spotlight on my blog, this is proving difficult!!)

:)

steven said...

terresa - it's truly amazing - beginning with the colour, then the form, then moving beyond that to its organization . . . it leaves me in awe. which is i think the proper response!!! i'm blushing right now. gotta go. steven

R. Burnett Baker said...

Wonderful post! I was especially struck by the words "...through the soft hues of decay with grace." Such a gentle encouragement to grow old with dignity!

Rick

steven said...

rick - i have great faith in the possibility of a graceful entry into post maturity for all living things. i know that this isn't always so. but i have faith in the possibility! steven