I almost miss the magic today.
It’s cold — great gusts of wind tearing through the clouds, tossing the treetops. Even in my down parka, I’m shivering.
But I go out anyway.
I walk down to the woods. Tramp through the brush for an hour, trying to catch a little beauty through the viewfinder. But it’s one of those days when the wonder eludes me. The light is thin and gray, the shadows watery and weak.
I photograph ice crystals forming in the moss. A woodland pond full of sky. Still — the photographs seems paler than what I see. Flat, almost.
I head home.
And then, when I’m almost to the fringe of the woods, a fallen log catches my eye. I almost don’t notice it at first, except that there’s a brief break in the clouds and the sun skims off its surface, just long enough for me notice the whorls and wanderings of some bug or beetle or worm, etched into the bark:
I lower myself to my knees and take my time, as if I am reading.
(And maybe I am).
The light hardens. The engravings deepen. I feel, almost, as if I know what they say…
Because it’s true, isn’t it: that we’re all carving stories into the surface of our world? Wearing tracks in the wilderness of our everydays? And those tracks last for a little while, and then fade or rot or blow off as dust.
We are all — believe me — ephemera.
(And also, eternal.)
I run a gloved finger over the weather-smoothed wood. Feel the tracks of some long-ago creature, left like runes.
I walk home with the magic inside of me…
My feet follow the trail out of the woods, and into the Light. ❤
Nice clicks. Have a good day!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, thank you! Same to you! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Welcome ☺
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s so good to open our eyes to the beauty around us. If we walk aimlessly we often miss the simple and the magic. But you didn’t. Beautiful post, as usual.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Miriam. I honestly think the main theme of this entire blog is just what you articulated: it’s about the desire to be awake and engaged to all the magic and beauty that surrounds us everyday, wherever we are, moment after moment.
Hope you have a warm and peaceful day today ❤
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you so much. You have a wonderful day too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
Perseverance pays
LikeLiked by 2 people
Indeed. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is an amazing recount. Thank you for sharing!
Joshsmithokc@gmail.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure, Josh. Good to have you here. Stay warm! 🙂
LikeLike
I found myself reading it too – it’s very runic once you look closely.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is! 🙂 Almost uncannily so. Beautiful and mysterious …
So glad you can see it too! You must have a little magic in you. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
The eternal and ephemeral magic ❤ lovely post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautifully put, friend. I know you’ve got an eye for magic, too. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
An eye for magic is the best kind of eye ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
I tend to think so, too. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reminding me to be mindful. It shouldn’t feel like such a battle to stay present, and yet it does… I really needed this today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad this came at the right time. It’s funny how that happens sometimes.
Hoping you feel fully present, alive and awake this weekend… Do a little something that makes you feel creative and happy!! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! I’m going to try. I hope that you enjoy your weekend away and that is refreshing for your body, mind, and soul! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love walking in the woods. Memories of Robert Frost.
Miss the woods. The trees here are different. (And it’s not safe to walk in the woods)
😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, Mr. Frost … Indeed. And I can’t imagine life without the woods. Every once in awhile when we were younger, T and I would talk about moving to other cities … Sometimes Austin, TX. I always came back to the realization that I couldn’t live without my big tall green deciduous forests. Truly.
What are the trees like where you are?? Post a photo sometime. 🙂
LikeLike