gifts from a gingko grove….

I’ve come to be surrounded by the gingkos,
to let deep
amber
turning
overtake me.


I watch and wait with pen and camera,
hushed by bountiful brilliance,
these late bloomers
gone so quickly green to golden,
brushing  anxious tangles from my mind with cheery bristles,
stirring hope
for the late bloomers that I love,
that I am.

As I flutter in this generous grove,
listening to balmy quiet,
tears unstuff themselves
and trickle down,
tired and sweet.

Yes,  I still ache over stuck places
where I’m longing for lift
for my lovies,
for me

…but LOOK,  my soul,  at this grove just yesterday green!
That is the way with gingkos.
And maybe,  perhaps,  with wings.


(Can you believe this place? 
It’s  about a mile from my house at an intersection…..each corner a grove of gingkos.
  Their leaves are a very plain green until,  almost overnight,  they turn a gorgeous bright yellow.  
They’re the late bloomers,  the last to turn and show their splendor. 
  And it’s a FEAST when they do…spectacular! )

36 Comments

  1. Eydie on November 19, 2011 at 2:56 pm

    Oh, the magic of Gingkos.

    “for the late bloomers that I love,
    that I am.”

    So grateful to be a late bloomer.

    I always look forward to your inspiring words and beautiful photos.

    Much LOVE to you and yours.
    xoxo

  2. Judy on November 19, 2011 at 6:56 pm

    What a lovely visit I just had, reading your heartfelt words, beautifully illustrated by your stunning photography! It would have been enough just to experience your verse, but the photos add a sense of actually being there. Wish I could see these trees in person, but this is the next best thing!

    Thank you for your sweet comment on my landscape.
    Big hugs,
    Judy

  3. Mary Carroll on November 19, 2011 at 9:19 pm

    Oh, they are gorgeous — like liquid golden light! xoxo

  4. missing moments on November 19, 2011 at 9:42 pm

    I have a lane of ginkos just a few blocks from me … love their yellow colors.

  5. S. Etole on November 19, 2011 at 10:40 pm

    What a glorious golden sight to look up to … true inspiration.

  6. Michele Bergh on November 19, 2011 at 10:57 pm

    These are just incredible! I love the rich colors and shapes.

  7. Kel on November 20, 2011 at 1:07 am

    one of my favourite views in nature is that of looking up through tree leaves to the light above
    these photos are superb, a sanctuary for the soul

  8. Anyes - Far Away in the Sunshine on November 20, 2011 at 1:09 am

    Just goes to show late bloomers are the best, Jennifer 😉

  9. rachel awes on November 20, 2011 at 5:59 am

    such amber ASTOUNDS.
    XOX

  10. jeanie on November 20, 2011 at 6:50 am

    Oh, Jennifer, this is amazing. I have one wee ginko — never seems to get quite so amber, but then it is in the back and I don’t have the privilege of having that amazing light you share. It dazzles to the max. You’re near Blowing Rock, right? My next visit I need to find this grove, no matter where the season! Maybe you can show it tome!

  11. Marion on November 20, 2011 at 8:27 am

    I am glowing from this post!
    So much golden goodness and your beautiful words.

    All of it. It’s a powerful testament to the power of change.

  12. Liz on November 20, 2011 at 8:58 am

    *LOVING* the metaphor here, Jen……Powerfully encouraging this morning…

    What a grace you are in my life.

    Wishing you and yours sweet peace and safety my dear,
    love,
    Liz

  13. Anita on November 20, 2011 at 9:15 am

    Jen,
    They are so beautiful! Waiting quietly all year to bloom into their golden splendor; so glorious. I’ve always considered myself a late bloomer; so happy to be in your company and that of the gingko.
    Love you!
    Anita

  14. beth on November 20, 2011 at 10:08 am

    what beautiful photos….i don’t see many gingko trees around here, but when i do….well they have a way of making me smile 🙂

  15. Julia Of Petals and Wool on November 20, 2011 at 1:48 pm

    Wow Jennifer, your photography is breathtaking. This is the first time that I see ginkgo trees in full yellow splendor. You photography and your words feel right at home together they seem to mesh as one and paint a story. Soul food… JB

  16. Marcie on November 20, 2011 at 3:43 pm

    The colors are absolutely breathtaking! And – I love the concept of late-bloomers. I can so relate!

  17. Mary on November 20, 2011 at 5:31 pm

    are these colors amazing or what…i love the contrast between the yellows/oranges and the brilliant blue of the sky…there’s no matching the Master Artist’s work…and this in a fallen world…just imagine what it was, what it will be…almost too much to comprehend.

    much love from one late bloomer to another…

    i know how your heart is aching this thanksgiving season. may you experience God’s love and care in overflowing abundance this season. i pray God heightens your vision to see his hand and handiwork all around you. may he tuck and enfold you and yours in his strong arms of protection, and may his peace cover your household.

  18. Maggie Mallard on November 20, 2011 at 6:55 pm

    Such beauty in your writing is always just a click away for me when I am lucky enough to come by your lovely site. These pics are incredible and how wonderful that you live in such a gorgeous place.
    Thank you honey for your lovely comments left for me and Christi. Each day we are both trying to get over all this and with friends like you I know that we will.
    God Bless You and I pray you have a beautiful Thanksgiving
    Love
    Maggie

  19. JBR on November 21, 2011 at 3:42 am

    Jen, I always look forward to your comments. Your words of wisdom and encouragement are always welcomed and timely. Blessings to you dear one.

  20. ELK on November 21, 2011 at 7:11 am

    oh my ..what a golden surprise and gift indeed !! Life with camera and nature does not get much better than this! wishing you and yours a very special thanksgiving ..holding you close in my heart!

  21. Barbara on November 21, 2011 at 12:06 pm

    They are gorgeous! Thank you for sharing them with us – there’s nothing like that around me!

  22. Lee Ann G. on November 21, 2011 at 6:51 pm

    Those Gingko leaves are so beautiful Jen! I don’t think I’ve ever seen one in person before, or if I have I didn’t know it. Now I see what I’ve been missing. I love your eye and how you show us what you see through it.

    Can I ask you what kind of camera you are using? Your photos are so gorgeous! Do you also have and use Photoshop sometimes? I have Photoshop but don’t know much yet about how to use it. One day, I hope to have one of those Digital SLR cameras. I love nature too and could really get into taking some photos of it’s beauty.

    ♥Lee Ann

  23. Kathy on November 21, 2011 at 8:09 pm

    I have never seen these!! How golden delicious and gorgeous!!! They just glow. Beautiful. Thank you, Jennifer. And thank you for visiting me. I love it! Love you, kath

  24. Lynn on November 21, 2011 at 9:32 pm

    Wow! Gorgeous! I never would have known! Thanks for sharing the sunshine, the golden glow, gingkos through your eyes.

  25. Poetic chronicles on November 22, 2011 at 4:17 pm

    Oh, thanks for taking me to this beautiful golden place!!
    There is such amazing beauty around us, right? From green to gold…what a fabulous destiny, like an upgraded renewal…makes green look dull 🙂

  26. Bren on November 22, 2011 at 4:49 pm

    I relate to the Gingkos, I’m a late bloomer too! What amazing photos, so glad you shared your moments among the gingkos. Here’s to blooming late! have a blessed and special Thanksgiving my friend.

  27. Lance on November 22, 2011 at 9:23 pm

    Jennifer,
    What amazing pictures! And – what a sight this has to be…seeing these trees change almost overnight.

    (and the words you’ve written, too…deeply touching…)

  28. Ron on November 23, 2011 at 9:47 am

    Greetings From Southern California

    Your late bloomers are beautiful 🙂

    Thanks for your recent visit to My Blog

    Take care and have a nice Thanksgiving 🙂

  29. S. Etole on November 23, 2011 at 7:44 pm

    Blessings for this season of Thanks-giving … so grateful for the way in which you share your beauty and His.

  30. Connie Smiley on November 23, 2011 at 9:46 pm

    Hey Jennifer, it’s a delight to look through your eyes to a canopy of gold, and with you, praise the One who made it. Hope your Thanksgiving is really good because of Him.

  31. Relyn on November 24, 2011 at 9:21 pm

    The meal has been eaten.
    The kitchen is clean.
    The leftovers are stashed.
    The walk has been taken.
    Everyone is happy and fed and blessed.
    Now I have the time to stop by.
    On this Thanksgiving Day, I wanted to tell you that I am thankful for you; for this blog; for our friendship. Sending you much love, Relyn

  32. JeMA on November 26, 2011 at 7:51 pm

    I too am a late bloomer, always watching and soaking in what I see before I decide to move, speak, listen. I love the words, the warm leaves, all is right tonight.

  33. LindyLouMac in Italy on November 27, 2011 at 1:36 pm

    In case you missed me calling by recently it is because we have been busy with our olive harvest! These autumnal photos are stunning thanks so much for sharing.

  34. JBR on November 28, 2011 at 5:21 am

    Sending hugs to you dear one.

  35. Eva on December 4, 2011 at 8:24 am

    Stunnng!

  36. Felicity on December 7, 2011 at 3:16 pm

    How absolutely gorgeous!
    I’m forwarding to my friend Margie whose blog is title ‘latebloomerbuds’ I know she’ll love this space as much as I do.

    Happy day!

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