Nighttime on Still Waters

'Grace in decay', 'beauty in things letting go', and the 'something' that pulls at the soul and that loosens the leaves - so much to love and to be nourished by here. Thank you

I love that you have a heron at your university, and am a little jealous! 😄 However, we do have a boisterous family of ducks at ours, which keep students and staff entertained!!

"Amid a thousand clouds and streams
There's an idle person somewhere
Roaming the hills during the day
Sleeping below cliffs at night
Suddenly passing springs and autumns
At peace no earthly burdens
Happy clinging to nothing
Still like a river in fall."

Cold Mountain (Han shan)

#poetry #zen

Morning light shivers through the shimmer of silver birch leaves that blend from deep forest green to light lemon yellows.

As morning dawned,
I stood beneath the silver birch
And looked up into the its canopy
And said
"My soul is dry
And there is nothing left."
The silver birch
Looked down
And said
"Do not worry
Today, I have enough
Soul for two.
Today, let me be your soul."

#poetry #nature

Good morning 🙂

Ah! Laine, this is perfect!

These are such gorgeous photographs!

This is superb

White mug with infuser/strainer standing on the counter next to a sachet titled Rootlet Rituals. The boat cabin smells warm with ginger and herbs.

The waxing moon is nearly at its full, so a great time to enjoy a mug of warming Waxing Moon tea. Lovely chatting to its creator @maid_miri at the #BanburyCanalFestival today. So pleased it could go ahead despite the closures and stoppages.
The next podcast episode will be next weekend.
#ukcanals

I love this. Your words mirror my experience with such an astute delicacy. It's wonderful, thank you

Two swans mirrored in the ripples of morning water. Autumn colours shimmer at the sides. The swan closest now has his back to us and has adopted a semi busk stance (defence/aggression). I have moved away and he seems to be signalling the threat is going. His mate, also now mirroring his stance, swims over. They will briefly rub their faces and necks together while emitting soft shortlist and chucking sounds. As we move further away, the wings drop into relaxed position. The male scratches his head, they swim together back into centre stream.

Coming upon 2 swans
Midway through their morning ablutions.
The cob glides over to me,
On edge, half-busk stance.
What a shame to break
Such a precious moment.

Turning my back, I walk away
And revel in the soft
Reassuring snorts
Of their contact calls.
Their world, once more restored.

#nature

Judging from the title, definitely professional development, but she was also clearly really enjoying it!! 😆

Aw!! Utterly beautiful!!

That's great! I've not come across this before.

Sitting at my table
For our university Open Day.
I look across at the librarian
Sitting behind the service counter
Deeply absorbed in a book.
Relaxed and content
In the world between its covers.

Filled with such inexplicable joy
At seeing someone
In love with their job.

#universitylibrarian

I hope the clouds soon clear for you and allow your joy to return. Take care.

Love this insight...

Image of Jane Goodall's book 'In the Shadow of Man'. I first read it in my early teens. It left an indelible mark on me. Only now am I beginning to see how courageous and radical it was. Jane has been a constant inspiration for wisdom and action to me ever since.

Saddened to hear of the death of Jane Goodall.
Thank you, Jane, for your courage, resilience, compassion, and wisdom.
We have desperately needed your voice & it will be missed. However, your inspiration ensures that many will continue your path. Your work is done. Rest well. Thank you.

#janegoodall

Two or three
Worlds away
The day dawns
With the wheel of gull
And municipal noise.
But now I know
That somewhere
This day is invested
With a special significance
And that has made
All the difference.

Have a special day Kris.

Oh, please let that be true!!

Beneath the hawthorn
A chaffinch has left
An empty space
Where once his song
Danced in the unfinished light.

#naturewriting #naturepoetry #birds

Aw, thank you so much, Jen!

😁

Oh what a perfect Christmas present! Love Rupert and Bill the Badger even more!!

Oh, what a wonderful quote!

Thank you! 😀

This is a magnificent poem, bravo! Love all its allusions.
Michael Wood is amazing. 'In Search of the Dark Ages' bowled me over when I first saw it. 'Legacy' acted as the spur for me to return to education and study this stuff at university level.

Thank you, and happy autumn to you, too!

Happy birthday. 43 voyages around the sun. 1.7 trillion miles through space. That's quite some life you're having!! I'm glad you're here to be part of it

There's been an incredible crop here, too!