6.08.2007

Just Bits of News and a Poem





Aunt Leaf

Needing one, I invented her
-the great-great-aunt
dark as hickory
called Shining-Leaf,
or Drifting-Cloud
or The-Beauty-of-the-Night.
Dear aunt, I'd call into the leaves,
and she'd rise up, like an old log in a pool,
and whisper in a language only the two of us knew
the word that meant follow,
and we'd travel
cheerful as birds
out of the dusty town and into the trees
where she would change us both into something quicker -
two foxes with black feet,
two snakes green as ribbons,
two shimmering fish - and all day we'd travel.
At day's end she'd leave me back at my own door
with the rest of my family,who were kind,
but solid as wood
and rarely wandered.
While she,
old twist of feathers and birch bark,
would walk in circles wide as rain and then
float back
scattering the rags of twilight
on fluttering moth wings;
or she'd slouch from the barn like a gray opossum;
or she'd hang in the milky moonlight
burning like a medallion,
this bone dream,
this friend I had to have,
this old woman made out of leaves.
Mary Oliver
This is a poem that I treasure. Each time I rediscover it I find that it attaches itself to me and lingers in my thoughts for days. This time it is accompanied by a nagging thought that maybe I should, just maybe, try to do a piece of art to go along with it. Perhaps. This day, this weekend is filling up more than I like. This morning is a nature walk and then a park day/picnic lunch with lovely friends. Doesn't that sound relaxing though. Then the evening calls for a burst of energy. I am making a dinner for my sweet mother-in-law for today is her birthday. After this post I really should work on a menu and grocery list. One can only put things like that off for so long. On the list so far...stuffed mushroom appetizers, a wonderful colorful salad with a homemade dressing of some sort, salmon....veggies...hmmm..here I am getting lost. what to go with that? And A cake? I am not a good baker.
I wish I had the time today to make a birthday crown for her like this one.
Three other bits of news to share...1. Olivia has decided to become my personal trainer. Five dollars per week, she says. Good help doesn't come cheap, does it? lol. She overheard a conversation I had with my husband about my struggle to stay motivated with exercise. Being active comes very easily to my husband who is a nut about all things tennis and Olivia who is always dancing. But for me I like to read and make art and write in my journal. None of that really works up the good ole sweat I need to lose weight. Well, what a little general she is! She had me sweating last night. I had two hours by my self last night (Kelly took Olivia to the Y pool) so I did my calming peaceful yoga video. She comes home and reminds me that I agreed to do arm exercises using my weights and walk on the treadmill and do abdominal exercises with the balance ball. Oh my! So I did it... And I agreed to do it again today!
2. I have signed up to go to Just Be Connected. Though this isn't until October I am very excited. Twelve hours driving distance. Yikes! That concerns me a little but hey, it will be a special wonderful experience- I can already feel it! I get to take classes with Kari, Lia, and Jess. Also with Susan who has a cool new service to offer us bloggers...banners. check out these wonderful banners!
So far I know of one blog friend I will get to meet in person and that is Tammy Gilley of Sunflower Studio. Doesn't it sound like fun. :)
3. I got my hair cut. This was big for me but represents a lot. The shedding of old things...movement in a new direction and all that. I have all of these short layers that scare me a little but I am content with it now on this new morning. I made the decision recently to stop coloring my hair for a while-to see if I can live with the natural me. I think I am liking it/me. :)
Why not---have a wonderful time as you stop today and take a moment to listen to the birdsong, to appreciate the wonder around us.
Blessings,

4 comments:

Kari said...

Oh my goodness....so excited to meet you in October!!! WOoohoo! It's gonna be a lot of fun. Can't wait!
Kari

Charmingdesigns said...

Love your poem! Laurie

Elaine Kerr said...

The poem reminds me of The Box of Delights by John Masefield. Hearn the Hunter, god of the forest, runs with a young boy through the woods. They magically become deer to escape the wolves, then become terns flying over a valley before they dive into a stream and become fish, each time escaping another predator. It's a wonderful (but hard to find) book and TV series.

Anonymous said...

Yeah!!! I'm thrilled you will be there and even more thrilled you are signed up for one of my classes! Happy dance! :) Lia