Funny that way….
I won’t say it again this week,
more about being work-weary and worn and smelling of Ben Gay
and how my knees pop and crackle
because it’s October
and, well, our busy season is hard that way.
I’ll tell you instead how vivid turquoise the sky over me can be
and how the drape and arch of twigs and vines
can make my heart go all swimmy and glad
and I don’t even try to figure that out anymore.
I’ll share how a blaze of sunlight wrapped in cloud
can glitter flecks of plum and raspberry and tangerine
and how noisy grackles in the treetops make it sound as if
the woods find something hilarious
and it’s pretty much impossible not to laugh along.
I’ll tell you that I’m thinking how grateful I am for fields
wearing their Autumn swish and rustle,
all rich and loamy and raining seeds for next year’s wild blooms
and for the pumpkins everywhere,
each bright orange globe a shot of courage
for the grey and cold to come,
and for the way the light goes golder
and the shadows more purple
and memories somehow more vivid
and how there is treasure
in what the sky speaks,
and the wind whispers,
and how the trees will hug you back
and how gentleness is strength
and the way the earth flings up ebullient praise to her maker
and you can hear it if you listen
and I get to be a part of that,
my own marks in the dirt as valuable as
the bells crying out in grand cathedrals
and I suppose that makes me a pretty rich woman
which is not something you’d likely guess
if you saw me rambling down some backroad in my dirty truck
with my windows rolled down and the music cranked up high.
Oh, you’d think maybe that I’m happy enough
because of the singing
but rich?
I doubt anyone would guess that with a look.
Life is funny that way
“…and in the morning when I rise
you bring a tear of joy to my eyes and tell me
everything is gonna be alright.”
-Kenny Loggins
More riches than can ever be put in the bank. Or worn around necks or on hands.
More lasting, more beautiful and more valuable.
A gorgeous reminder – thank you.
I just complained to a blogger friend about my cracky old knees in the cool morning temperatures. Ben Gay can be a good soothing friend…
The words that comes from the depth of your heart are never lacking in richness. You are rich indeed.
I hope that you can touch that beautiful rainbow and make all your wishes come true. October transform everything. What beauty everywhere, even in your poetry.
Have soothing and peaceful week.
Hugs,
JB
It just amazes me how these words just seem to flow from your heart.
Beautiful shots; I love the rainbow one….
I wish I could write like you, Jennifer, but since I cannot, I drink up your words which express life so beautifully. It is so obvious that you write from your heart , and your gift for creating wondrous pictures with your words is thrilling to me. You may be rich in all the beauty nature has to offer, but you bestow richness on us with your poignant reflections. Thank you, thank you, thank you. xo
I have not been able to afford any blog time for some time now. This bit of time I found to peek in to blogland was so well spent! Thank you for painting my thoughts pretty.
And I’m right there with you as you take us on this vivid word picture of a life well lived. Rich in all that counts I’m thinking, I’ll take that any day no matter what the advertisements might try and tell us 🙂
Looks can so be deceiving can’t they…learning to see with new eyes these days!
Love you dear Jen, and the beautiful heart you see with!
I received my package in the mail. I just wanted a piece of your lovely art to keep with me, to remind me of what your page and posts do for my spirit every day. But I got a thick little parcel of all kinds of treasures! Thank you for taking time to write me – for sending me beauty and kindness all wrapped up in heart-mail!
yes, we’re rich when we pay attention and fill ourselves with wonder. Thank you for another beautiful post!
yes…we are richer than we think we are when we stop and look at our blessings! you are absolutely rich in beautiful words and photos!! (a rare talent!)
So many blessings coming through your words… you are richer than you think, by sharing the richness that’s in your soul which comes out beautifully through your writing. Thank you for spreading the many blessed seeds onto your online soil, in return that nourishes our souls. xo
That you share the riches makes all of us even richer.
Hi Jennifer,
So glad that Suzanne McRae mentioned your blog and reminded me to stop by so I didn’t miss this post. I loved your poem AND the photos. So very calming and full of gratitude. Thank you for a wonderful start to my weekend!
on top of your beautiful words you then throw in kenny loggins…..perfection !!!
xo
here’s hoping the snap-crackle will ease as those gorgeous october skies give way to november. (also, arnica cream or china gel – both standbys in my home for aches and pains.) that photo of the rainbow bringing color to the trees is fantastic!
Oh Jennifer, this is so rich, every little word and phrase. I had to call a friend and read it aloud because all that music should be out loud, don’t you think? I’m rich too, and grateful to our Maker. Thank you, once again.
A perfect ending to your post. I’ll be singing that all night long.
So happy that you share your rich, colorful world!
That rainbow is spectacular. Actually, all your photos are, but that one — wow! I just love your attitude.. it is one that needs to be worldwide!