1.19.2011

silence

Gratitude

What did you notice?

The dew snail;
the low-flying sparrow;
the bat, on the wind, in the dark;
big-chested geese, in the V of sleekest performance;
the soft toad, patient in the hot sand;
the sweet-hungry ants;
the uproar of mice in the empty house;
the tin music of the cricket’s body;
the blouse of the goldenrod.

What did you hear?

The thrush greeting the morning;
the little bluebirds in their hot box;
the salty talk of the wren,
then the deep cup of the hour of silence.

What did you admire?

The oaks, letting down their dark and hairy fruit;
the carrot, rising in its elongated waist;
the onion, sheet after sheet, curved inward to the
pale green wand;
at the end of summer the brassy dust, the almost liquid
beauty of the flowers;
then the ferns, scrawned black by the frost.

What astonished you?

The swallows making their dip and turn over the water.

What would you like to see again?

My dog: her energy and exuberance, her willingness,
her language beyond all nimbleness of tongue, her
recklessness, her loyalty, her sweetness, her
sturdy legs, her curled black lip, her snap.

What was most tender?

Queen Anne’s lace, with its parsnip root;
the everlasting in its bonnets of wool;
the kinks and turns of the tupelo’s body;
the tall, blank banks of sand;
the clam, clamped down.

What was most wonderful?

The sea, and its wide shoulders;
the sea and its triangles;
the sea lying back on its long athlete’s spine.

What did you think was happening?

The green breast of the hummingbird;
the eye of the pond;
the wet face of the lily;
the bright, puckered knee of the broken oak;
the red tulip of the fox’s mouth;
the up-swing, the down-pour, the frayed sleeve
of the first snow—

so the gods shake us from our sleep.

~ Mary Oliver ~

Today was a splendid day filled with art-making, including some journal work. I took photos but the light was low and I will have to try again tomorrow. (the above image is the only piece I scanned.) It was a strange day too. All the blood work days seem to be. I make them that way I suppose. Anxious and fretful. Hyper-alert. Hands a bit shaky from the moment I wake up. My port did not want to work today at the clinic so I spent an hour there while the oncology nurses tried various flushes. To say my insides were a wreck just from being back in the chemo room would be an understatement. But even so, I am heart-soaringly grateful for this day, for the big things like the way Olivia squeezed me so tight before heading to school down to the little things like the blue jay feather by the car. Tomorrow afternoon or the next day I will get the blood work results. I have been feeling terrific so the rational side tells me all is well with nothing to worry about. Nothing like the fear of losing one's life to make every moment sweeter and more perfect. Precious. *Deep Breath.* Life is good. It really, really is.

Where is my Louise Hay book? :)

I hope all is wonderful where you are.

Blessings,

10 comments:

gina said...

Trisha,
Sending you light and all good thoughts! Create, create, create! Beauty and peace are pouring out!
Huge hugs,
g

triciascott said...

gina, thank you so much, sweet friend. journaling sure did help today. what would we do if we couldn't make art?! scary thought... :)
xoxo

Jeannine said...

So glad the poems and journaling offer comfort. Sending good wishes to you that all is well. ♥

Camilla~Bloom said...

Beautiful image and words. What a lovely space you have created here.
Your art work is so creative and inspiring.
Nice to meet you.

Amy said...

This is my first visit here, and oh what a visit it has been! I love, love, love your art and even more, I love the stories you tell alongside it. They are magical, wondrous tales, and I am captivated.
Since this is my first visit, it is the first I have heard of your cancer/remission. My father had cancer, so I have some idea what it is like. Know that you will be in my prayers and I am rooting for you wholeheartedly.

Debi said...

this is a gorgeous breathtaking piece. a gorgeous, breathtaking poem. a gorgeous, gorgeous, breathtaking tale of your day, anxiety and all. a gorgeous breathtaking life you lead. life IS good. thank you for noticing it all.

bridgette said...

what a beautiful painting and poem to go with it!
I have been journaling like a mad woman lately. I have been followng Donna Drozda's blog and journaling with her posts once a week since the year started. You should check it out. She lives in VA too! How I wish we all lived close together so we could meet and write, share, paint together.
Sorry you had a rough time with the blood work. Thinking of you and I know it will be good news.
*Life is good*
xo

Tiffany said...

I am worried re: this port-flushing business. Is this just routine or are you having to receive more meds? Ack, if so. But we will keep hope in stable numbers, eh? Also, yes, a beauty of a painting and a poem to go alongside it. Silence that is deepest music. Yes. :)

brandie said...

beautiful as always.
I miss you!

Brandie

Rella said...

happy and positive thoughts are being sent every time you come to mind.
I see you in total wellness.
Hugs to you and that darling Miss O.

xox Rella