In the Garden of the gods
Have you ever seen
a butterfly free fall?
weightless
white
petal wings.
Have you ever seen
a garden dove
preen?
or caught the glint
in the eye
of a sparrow?
Have you ever seen
a butterfly free fall?
thrilled
by its own
wings?
One hot endless afternoon
squatting with an armload of sun-dried laundry
I watched a butterfly free fall.
I felt the pulse of pleasure
of
Creation.
So beautiful dear, so beautiful… they hit through the words… Thank you, love, nia
Thank you so much Nia! I’m happy to know the words captured a bit of the little miracle I saw one afternoon when I was home in Malaysia. I still feel warm each time I think of that little butterfly. Much love to you, Sharon
I just saw a butterfly free fall….
Isn’t it amazing!! I saw a butterfly free fall when I was taking in the laundry one hot afternoon at my parents’ place. And there I stood with a whole pile of clothes in my arms and I was just rooted to the spot. It was magical. You surely must have a magical day now that you’ve just seen a little bit of magic 😀 Hugs, Sharon
That is a truly beautiful poem? Thank you for letting me read it. 🙂
Hello Sally! My first attempt at poetry 😀 Glad you liked it. Sharon
Not ? But ! 🙂
How beautifull. You captured them well 🙂
Thank you so much Masa! I didn’t manage to capture on photo the one which was happily doing the free fall that afternoon. And it was simply too beautiful a show for me to run inside and grab the camera. Some of life’s best moments are sometimes still best captured in the heart and mind. So glad you liked these! Sharon
Everything was said with so few words giving space for a vision.
Thank You Sharon.
Dearest Mona,
I’m thrilled you like this! My first try at poetry! The moment of watching this little white delicate butterfly enjoying itself was like being given a peek into a secret world! Thank you so much for coming by! Sharon
Beautiful combination of words @}—
So nicely befitting my sisters birthday!
May I copy those for her?
Hello Harri!
It would be an honour if this was given to your sister on her birthday! And do send my warmest birthday wishes and many blessings to her! Sharon
Thank you Sharon!
❤ Harri
Beautiful! What a lovely way to start the week – thanks Sharon!
Thank you Cathy! It was a joy to remember that little butterfly 😀 Have a wonderful week full of loveliness. Sharon
Thank you for the invitation to notice and be grateful, such a beautiful way to start the week!
Dear Kitty, I’m so glad to know my first attempt at poetry conveyed a little of that sense of wonder I felt when I saw that little butterfly just gently swaying down over and over again – I could have sworn it was enjoying itself! 😀 Thank you for leaving me this note and I wish you a beautiful week ahead and I look forward to what you would find to share with us. Sharon
Exquisite choice of words and the photography is just vivid. Beautiful, Sharon!
Thank you so much for the great encouragement Becky! Here’s to writing and bringing life through our words. Hugs, Sharon
Your first attempt at poetry? You are the Poetry! Fae.
Your words hug me…Love, Sharon
Such beautiful imagery in your words.
I am so glad you like it Pat!! It means a lot. Sharon p.s. I passed this year’s check-up with flying colours! 😀
🙂
This is a stellar poem and really reaches my soul. True beauty Sharon.
Dear Emily,
That truly meant a lot to me. Thank you so much. Hugs, Sharon
I felt the pulse of pleasure at your creation, my friend. Beautiful!
Russ
And my soul blossomed. Thank you Russ. Sharon
Your poem and photos touched my heart this morning Sharon. They are filled with truth in the perfection and magic in nature and creation that constantly surrounds us, and the reminder to stop and appreciate the beauty in each moment that we are gifted with. Thank you my friend for this beautiful message.
Dear Rick,
A few days ago I received a clean bill of health. The immense gratitude that welled up in me brought me to tears especially since I was asked to return for a follow-up test. This poem was a little tribute to the gift of life. How much magic and miracles abound in each moment if we take the time to truly open our eyes and see. I was given a special moment seeing a little butterfly enjoying itself! 😀 Thank you so much for writing to me. It is always like a gift. Sharon
I am filled with a huge joy for you Sharon in receiving that good news. From getting to know you a bit through your beautiful writings and all you share in this blog, It’s easy to know that Spirit lives deeply within you, and like a prism you radiate that Spirit, light and love into the world and by doing that you make a huge difference in the lives of others. I celebrate your gift of life and the great honor to know you { }
That poem made me feel so happy! 🙂 I love spring! Thank you.
Hello Betsy!
That’s so good to know because I wrote it with so much happiness in my heart! Hugs and have a great day bringing us notes of joy and the funny side of parenting! 😀 Sharon
Beautiful post Sharon. After a long time I revisited your blog and I completely enjoyed both your words and pictures in this post. Have a great day!! 🙂
My dear Arindam!!!
Oh, soooo good to see you here! I have been thinking of you since I found out that your book was published! I was back in Malaysia for two months and so I was away from the blog for a bit. I hope things have been going great and everything is as it should be! I shall be over to catch up. Sharon
I am watching Monarch butterflies free fall in the calm, hot weather right now. Imagine feeling that light? 🙂
I know! There’s a special magic watching a butterfly free fall. For me, it was perhaps my first time and it worked its charm on me so deeply, I simply had to put it in writing! 😀 What a gorgeous day it must be for you over there in NZ! Enjoy the gorgeous Monarchs! Sharon
this is just beautiful Sharon…beautiful photos ..beautiful lines…
Thank you Sriram. How are you doing? I look forward to your next post. Here’s wishing you wonderful days filled with beauty. Sharon
great ! how are you? trying to find the right words…for my photos…my best wishes….take care. sriram
I can’t wait – I know it will always blow us all away! Wishing you just the right note of inspiration! Sharon
There’s a nice feeling here of gentle descent and floating.
Dear Tiramit,
So very good to hear from you! I’m glad the poem conveyed that sense of lightness to you. I wish you well and I look forward to getting to know you and your many insights along life’s journey. Sharon
Your photos and poem are lovely. Butterflies are enchanting to see. Have a great day, Sharon.
🙂 Imelda
So good to hear from you Imelda! It was enchanting indeed! You have a great day too! Sharon
I love this Sharon. It’s wonderful to hear all the beauty inside of you!
James.
Dear James,
Thank you so very much for that uplifting line. Sharon
I’m not sure if I have ever seen a butterfly free fall… but I can imagine it’s delicate, abandoned tumble. Like the lines of your “first poem!!” The words roll beautifully Sharon. Each image is captured nicely with the butterfly setting the stage, dancing between layers then bringing us to the very pulse of creation. I hope that you enjoyed writing this as much as it feels like you did. It’s wonderful to see your heart and vision unfold in the language of poetry. I’m looking forward to reading more!
Chris
Dear Chris,
Thank you so much for this very kind review. As you must know how much I hold your work in high regard, your feedback is valuable. I do believe that it has been from reading your writings that I re-discovered the joy of poetry!
I thoroughly enjoyed writing this poem – though I’m not really sure if I wrote it or that it just kind of tumbled out of me when I watched that little butterfly repeat the free fall over and over again – simply enjoying itself! I don’t know but it seems that some poems just spill out from the overflow of the heart.
I studied English Literature in high school and loved it. One of the classes was on Poetry Appreciation. I have forgotten all the rules of writing a sonnet, sestina and I recently tried my hand at haiku. But I do believe poetry is opening a new door of untold delight and I have you to thank for. Please feel free to share with me your favourite poets, writings and any advice is always appreciated.
Sharon
Sharon you have no idea how humbled I am by your kind regard for my poetry. To think that my writing may have played even a small role in inspiring you toward writing poetry is… well… just really great. Thank you.
I would certainly never be so bold as to offer advice regarding writing poetry. Mine is very simple and I often think written as one who has learned to play an instrument by ear but has no knowledge whatsoever of reading music.
I love haiku (and tanka) for it’s simplicity and because it taught me syllabic writing. I appreciate structure so syllabics provide a base I can easily work from.
My favourite book of poetry is Mountain Home, The Wilderness Poetry of Ancient China, translated by David Hinton.
Favourite poets include Charles Wright, Gary Snyder and Alden Nowlan. I’ve just discovered Jack Gilbert and Gustaf Sorbin.
There are also some amazing poets on WordPress:
Michele Seminara, http://micheleseminara.wordpress.com
Jamie Dedes, http://musingbymoonlight.com,
Angie Werren, http://triflings.wordpress.com
These are definitely just a few favourites and I know that I am leaving out writers I shouldn’t be. The Blue Hour has a lot of great poets and is a really good place to discover new writers, http://thebluehourmagazine.com
Have a wonderful weekend Sharon.
Chris
Dear Chris,
I cannot thank you enough for sharing with me some of poetry’s greatest gems! I am enthralled by Mountain Home and going through some of the sample poems online, I sat here rooted. My heart soaring, my eyes filled up.
Egrets
Robes of snow, crests of snow, and beaks of azure jade,
they fish in shadowy streams. Then startling up into
flight, they leave emerald mountains for lit distances.
Pear blossoms, a tree-full, tumble in the evening wind
I believe this book of ancient Chinese poems will soon be my favourite too. It brought back so many memories of my childhood, of tales and fables and legends and wisdom all intertwined in the lap of my nanny.
Oh what a wonderful thing it is to discover the hidden joys of poetry! I have you to thank for this beautiful gift. Thank you also for your generous recommendations to other great poets out there. I shall for sure be looking them up.
With warm gratitude to you, Sharon
Sharon,
You already are a poet! And a budding Haiku artist! 🙂 This is gorgeous! I love the delicate white butterfly and the feelings your prose evokes. I recall dreams where I flew, free fell and caught myself just above the ground.
And I always love your photography!
Cathy
Thank you Cathy for giving me my first tutorial in haiku yesterday! Watch out I believe I’m starting to get a hang of it and it’s getting addictive 😀 Thank you for your warm encouragement! Hugs, Sharon
lovely. a butterfly free fall …what an image the words paint!
Thank you Audrey! So very glad to hear that! Sharon
There is a sweet feel to this lovely nature post Sharon. Is it so green where you are already? Have a nice day 🙂
Hi Aditix! This was taken in Malaysia where it’s summer all year long 😀 That’s where I first watched a butterfly free fall. And weather updates from Finland – it was -19 C this morning and the thickest blanket of snow. How you doing over there in Norway? Any signs of spring yet?
It`s winter and cold here too. About -12 C today, I think. Lots of snow with ice beneath – very slippery. Many accidents today. But very nice still 🙂
Such a beautiful poem and I love the title. The imagery of the butterfly free falling is wonderful and as for the sundried laundry…there is nothing nicer and more summery than the scent of that!
My thoughts exactly! I so love doing the laundry when I’m back in Malaysia! Just to warm my face in the sun and collect in the laundry flapping under the blazing sun for the whole day, the fragrance of grass and fresh air infused in the clothes…the best smell in the world! Thank you so much for writing! Sharon
Beautiful Sharon, photos and poem! 🙂
Thank you sweets. It was a special moment in my parents’ backyard watching that little fluttering butterfly. Sharon
Words and pictures that touch the heart. Thank you, Sharon! Now I’m really looking forward to spring and summer. 😉
Hi Sharon!
Wonderful to drop in again and receive your refreshing words!
What a glorious invitation to celebrate Creation’s magnificence in the midst of life’s everyday duties.
Thank you for sharing 🙂
Ali
Breathtaking…it is so beautiful.
~Bena…
Oh by the way, I forgot to mention in my previous comment (your post was so beautiful I became speechless haha) I have an award for you! http://benawhat.wordpress.com/2013/03/15/my-very-first-blog-award-thank-you/ Congratulations.
This is so beautiful!! makes me want to run outside and go and watch the butterflies!! We do forget to look at and appreciate the small things in life and its great to be reminded of them every once in a while.
I am trying to notice the beauty in my life more often. Looking out like this at the glory of this world is part of the joy of living. It is always available and never costly. Thank you for being on my wave length once again.
You, my dear Sharon have a way with words..Whether it be few or many..
I like the photograph and the text. I like them very much. The text, like the butterfly, has a ethereal quality to it. Made my day.
So very good to hear from you Claude. Thank you for this beautiful comment. Made my day. Sharon
Omgosh I love the poem and your beautiful photographs!
That’s a gorgeous poem, I loved it! 🙂 And by the way, I love your new theme too, you’ve done a fantastic job! 🙂
Coming from you Subhan, that is a great compliment. It’s my first try at writing poetry. You must know how much I love your poems and I was actually thinking what you’d think of this one. I would appreciate any advice you might have on how to better this one. The last line I feel is a bit abrupt.
And thanks for liking the new theme!! I thought it needed a bit of a revamp! Sharon
You may love this song by Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam: https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=VOrPttQzwPk.
My poem, Nasheva in Nevara is also about the same topic as yours.. Oh, listening to the song and contemplating your words… I’m having my tears flooding now…. Lost for words…
Oh that was beautiful…I will surely add it to our favourites and share it with my husband and son when they come back. Please sometimes leave me a few other links to what other songs that have touched your beautiful soul Subhan. I leave you with this song – one of our favourites. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbICjWI7Vrw&feature=relmfu
Great! 🙂 You understand bahasa Indonesia as well, right? There’s an awesome Sufi Band from the USA who are now residing in Indonesia. They sing in Indonesian, Turkish, and English. Take a look at this playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4bDHEVuh2c&list=PLxwqK4fejrGl7Pz03-go-SCR9VEL6O3rg
“Dust in the Road” is my favorite song from them, but the others are adorably great too! Hope you enjoy them! ♥ I will send you the other songs, some other time 🙂
Perfect!!