Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Metaphors and Roadsides

Yesterday, Henry and I drove to the grocery store. Periodically, I'd pull over to the side of the road to snap photos. Henry said,

Mommy, why do you keep puwwing over and taking pictures?
Because, I answered, I keep seeing beautiful things.

Things that used to speed by but lately, I've slowed. I took photos of the rustic beauty: of trees. Of light. Of shadows. I feel interwoven with the stalks, the snow, the chipped bark and barren, regal branches. I'm reminded that I'm just one part of this majestic, pulsing world. I sit in wonder as I consider the seemingly barren tree, bubbling with spring and fecundity just below her winter's casing.

Winter landscapes inexorably mesmerize me; while I absorb their beauty, I feel a carbonated gratitude bubble through my being. Nature demonstrably exhibits resilience and fragility--one of life's paradoxical metaphors. One which I identify with so, so much. Strong and weak. Driven and lagging. Inspired and flat. Up and down.

Just like life.
Just like me.

6 comments:

Lindsey said...

Carbonated gratitude ... SO gorgeous. I do the same thing, stopping to take pictures, and like you, for some reason, I find winter landscapes the most compelling. xoxo

Anonymous said...

I feel the same gratitude, sitting by the fire, feet up with a good book in my hands.

Good for you! This is the stuff life is made of.

Anonymous said...

Gosh, what a great idea. I wish I could slow down like that. In fact, I'm going to. Thank you for inspiring me!

Cathy Reaves said...

Winter is peaceful, quiet and still - or at least that's how I see it - and how I wish I was more.

Dana Udall-Weiner said...

What beautiful language, Denise. Thanks for the reminder that spring is coming, that life will soon sprout and burgeon from the earth!

Aidan Donnelley Rowley @ Ivy League Insecurities said...

"Just like life.
Just like me."

Ah, the magic of short sentences, the right little gems. Beautiful, Denise.