Reflective

Reflective droplets of water dangle from the twisted branches. Light filled and liquid, they endure. The distant tree is roost to eight plump woodpigeons, feather fluffed against the cold. A robin lands and a water bauble falls, a solitary raindrop falling to earth.

"Everything moves, only the mirror remains. That mirror is you." - Osho

Winter is Coming

I can sense Winter approaching. Bare branches scratched onto the opaque sky. A certain quality of light that talks of colder times and gently whispers of sprinkling fine white powder to highlight natures bare bones. I can smell it on the breath of the wind. Winter is coming.

"No one is free, even the birds are chained to the sky." - Bob Dylan

On Our Doorstep

Neighbours leave freshly dug vegetables on our doorstep, the compost bin we gave them will help in next years crop. Root vegetables chopped in chunks ready for a dinnertime stew. The beautiful trees sway against the clear blue sky. Birds queue on the fence waiting for me to scatter seed. The church bells chime the hour.

"Believe in the holy contour of life" - Jack Kerouac

I start my Day

The lilac bush outside my window a kinetic sculpture - alive with birds, hopping from branch to branch, random and beautiful. The Silver birch is glowing in the morning light, its remaining leaves, gentle moving amber jewels. I start my day.

"Speak to me of love, said St. Francis to the almond tree, & the tree blossomed." - Nicholas Kazantzakis

Monday Morning

My curtains open to a grey morning. Adorning the distant wire top fence the starlings, doves and woodpigeon are interspersed with sparrows who act as surreal punctuation in this sentence of birds. A blackbird swoops down to join them as the jackdaws circle overhead, turning cartwheels in the mist.

“The infinite is in the finite of every instant” - Zen Proverb

Paint Effects

Afternoon sunlight daubs the pared back landscape with golden brushstrokes. Trees etched against a painted sky, intricate branches burnished with liquid yellow. A moment later the light has gone, taking the paint effects with it.

"No thought, no reflection, no analysis, no cultivation, no intention; Let it settle itself." - Tilopa

Red Berries

Red berries against deep green leaves, their colour so vibrant through the curtain of falling rain. The lilac branches a landing strip for small eager birds who don't seem to notice the weather.

"When you realize how perfect everything is you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky." - Buddha

The Leaves Have Gone

The leaves have gone from the big Lilac bush outside my window, exposing an angel hanging from the branches that I had forgotten was there.

"Change always comes bearing gifts." - Price Pritchett

November

November has blown in on brisk winds. Blowing and billowing, bellowing its arrival through cracks and openings. Tunnelling down empty chimneys and racing around after skittish cats. Herding leaves into dead end corners and shaking fences to prove their worth.

"In the ant's house, the dew is a flood." - Persian Proverb