Saturday, April 9, 2011

rays


some of the plants were so in love with brother sun that they arranged their bodies to mirror his own.


even as their bodies were preparing to revibrate themselves into another form,
they carried their symmetrical arrays through the soft hues of decay with grace.


how do they know to do this?

at

32 comments:

  1. ElisabethApril 9, 2011 at 3:01 AM

    There's a deal of order and symmetry in the above shots, Steven and yet your header sparkles with a sort of chaotic decadence. Both apply. It's wonderful.

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  2. JinksyApril 9, 2011 at 3:56 AM

    What beautiful thoughts and pictures to accompany the beginning of my day - thank you!

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  3. agujaApril 9, 2011 at 5:51 AM

    Your post immediately brought to mind Blake's lines:

    'What immortal hand or eye
    Could frame thy fearful symmetry'

    because I am always in awe of symmetry in nature and the 'how'

    I agree with Elizabeth's description of the 'chaotic decadence' above. It contrasts beautifully, the symmetry.

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  4. OceanoAzul.SonhosApril 9, 2011 at 6:06 AM

    Good morning steven.
    In fact even the plants search for the sunlight and the state of grace. Nature and humanity always in search of happiness. It's so beautiful.
    oa.s

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  5. TitusApril 9, 2011 at 7:10 AM

    Stunning! Words and images.

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  6. RadcliffeApril 9, 2011 at 7:32 AM

    Just stumbled upon your blog from Acornmoon. Your photos are beautiful.

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  7. stevenApril 9, 2011 at 7:33 AM

    elisabeth i am so oblivious to my obliviousness at times! the juxtaposition of those photographs is definitely worthy of note as the header shot catches the seasonal shift in ym area with nature throwing all her cards on the table to pick out the next hand. meanwhile down in cuba where the season is more firmly established - everything is in order!! thanks elisabeth. steven

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  8. stevenApril 9, 2011 at 7:33 AM

    jinksy! you're very welcome. steven

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  9. stevenApril 9, 2011 at 7:34 AM

    aguja - blake hovers as a asort of spiritual aesthetic angel for me so invoking his words here is special to me. i see what you are saying. steven

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  10. stevenApril 9, 2011 at 7:36 AM

    oa.s, i agree. i believe that all and everything gives grace - it's like love - it isn't a choice, it simply is. all, and everything seeks out grace and love like the long lost friends that they are. steven

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  11. Lorenzo — Alchemist's PillowApril 9, 2011 at 7:36 AM

    As always, a delight for the eye and soul.

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  12. stevenApril 9, 2011 at 7:36 AM

    titus thankyou. steven

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  13. stevenApril 9, 2011 at 7:37 AM

    lorenzo!!! it's a special joy to bring delight into the world. i'm so happy that you are there to share in it. steven

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  14. stevenApril 9, 2011 at 7:38 AM

    hello radcliffe and welcome!! valerie's blog and especially her artwork are a special connection we share. thankyou for your kind comment. steven

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  15. Bonnie Zieman, M.Ed.April 9, 2011 at 7:48 AM

    awe-inspiring precision inducing reverence

    fabulous header steven - all your headers are stunning, but I just love this one!

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  16. stevenApril 9, 2011 at 7:51 AM

    bonnie - to be symmetrical in any feature of life takes consideration, forethought even! thankyou for your generous comment about the header photo. i love that it has so many layers each talking to each other. elements from all four seasons. steven

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  17. Reya MellickerApril 9, 2011 at 9:06 AM

    There is some beautiful, radiant DNA genius embedded in these beings. Gorgeous, gorgeous.

    Who doesn't love Brother Sun?

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  18. stevenApril 9, 2011 at 9:17 AM

    reya - it's a deep and wise genius for sure!!! steven

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  19. KathleenApril 9, 2011 at 10:10 AM

    It's as if their joy is so uncontainable, they must spread it in every direction. And their utter openness reminds me that of how important that is to connection with the divine. I believe they also have points at the tip, correct? A reminder of our limitations as well? I do love you see the world, Steven. I'm so glad we're pals.
    Blessings~

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  20. stevenApril 9, 2011 at 10:16 AM

    kathleen! these plants have very pointy points - oh yes they do! seeing these plants - well any plant, reminds me of how incredible each living thing is. how improbable that beauty - which is entirely unique in both the being and the sharing and the perceiving - should be the frist clue to the deeper riches that lead to the love that connects all things. pauline i'm glad we're pals also! steven

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  21. Dan GurneyApril 9, 2011 at 12:12 PM

    Ray-diant beauty! The beauty and joy of plants is astonishing and at times overwhelming. That sense of wonder increases when we reflect on the intelligence behind their forms. As you ask, how DO they know how to do this? And most of all, to consider the wisdom and generosity of the plant kingdom is to see them for the miracles they are.

    Thank you for raysing this topic in such a beatiful way!

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  22. RuthApril 9, 2011 at 12:39 PM

    How do they know. And how do you/we see. It takes a little mindfulness, close looking, and wonders like this show up. So wonderful, Steven.

    Your header is stunning. Those are my favorite colors in combination: teal and shades of brown.

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  23. hopeApril 9, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    My first thought was, "Wow, when did the Sun turn green?" :)

    Nicely done, as always!

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  24. JoApril 9, 2011 at 5:46 PM

    Steven, a mathmetician might point to "phi" or an artist to the "Golden ratio" to answer your question. A philosopher would quote Voltaire, and a priest would quote the scriptures.

    I prefer to listen to the poets...what is your opinion?

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  25. stevenApril 9, 2011 at 6:12 PM

    dan - i see plants and trees as vectors to the deeper mapping of this place. they offer so much without condition. the learning we can experience from that simple act alone is immense. steven

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  26. stevenApril 9, 2011 at 6:15 PM

    ruth - i'm grateful for the happiness that has come out of the header photo. i'm also grateful for your acknowledgement of the quality of mindfulness that accompanies the unpacking of the surface of this world. steven

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  27. stevenApril 9, 2011 at 6:16 PM

    hi hope that's why i wondered my wonder when i wrote this piece. thankyou for your kind comment. steven

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  28. stevenApril 9, 2011 at 6:19 PM

    jo - i share the golden ratio piece with my grade six kids each year and see their eyes and minds go wow! because it really is wow. so to answer your question: i would read the poetry, learn the math, listen to the philosopher and then i would ask the plant. steven

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  29. *April 9, 2011 at 9:38 PM

    The symmetry in nature is boggling, isn't it? And beautiful.

    (And now to settle on picking just one of your poems to spotlight on my blog, this is proving difficult!!)

    :)

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  30. stevenApril 9, 2011 at 9:52 PM

    terresa - it's truly amazing - beginning with the colour, then the form, then moving beyond that to its organization . . . it leaves me in awe. which is i think the proper response!!! i'm blushing right now. gotta go. steven

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  31. R. Burnett BakerApril 9, 2011 at 10:00 PM

    Wonderful post! I was especially struck by the words "...through the soft hues of decay with grace." Such a gentle encouragement to grow old with dignity!

    Rick

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  32. stevenApril 9, 2011 at 11:01 PM

    rick - i have great faith in the possibility of a graceful entry into post maturity for all living things. i know that this isn't always so. but i have faith in the possibility! steven

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