“Keep your love of nature, for that is the true way to understand art more and more.”

-Vincent van Gogh

reveal your secrets ......

"If you reveal your secrets to the wind, you should not blame the wind for revealing them to the trees"
-Kahlil Gibran

A morning-glory at my window ....

A morning-glory at my window satisfies me more than the metaphysics of books.
-Walt Whitman

The Most Beautiful Flower..

The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read.
Beneath the long, straggly branches of an old willow tree.
Disillusioned by life with good reason to frown,
For the world was intent on dragging me down.

And if that weren't enough to ruin my day,
A young boy out of breath approached me, all tired from play.
He stood right before me with his head tilted down
And said with great excitement, "Look what I found!"

In his hand was a flower, and what a pitiful sight,
With its petals all worn - not enough rain, or too little light.
Wanting him to take his dead flower and go off to play,
I faked a small smile and then shifted away.

But instead of retreating he sat next to my side
And placed the flower to his nose
And declared with overacted surprise,
"It sure smells pretty and it's beautiful, too.
That's why I picked it; here, it's for you."

The weed before me was dying or dead.
Not vibrant of colors: orange, yellow or red.
But I knew I must take it, or he might never leave.
So I reached for the flower, and replied, "Just what I need."

But instead of him placing the flower in my hand,
He held it mid-air without reason or plan.
It was then that I noticed for the very first time
That weed-toting boy could not see: he was blind.

I heard my voice quiver; tears shone in the sun
As I thanked him for picking the very best one.
You're welcome," he smiled, and then ran off to play,
Unaware of the impact he'd had on my day.

I sat there and wondered how he managed to see
A self-pitying woman beneath an old willow tree.
How did he know of my self-indulged plight?
Perhaps from his heart, he'd been blessed with true sight.

Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see
The problem was not with the world; the problem was me.
And for all of those times I myself had been blind,
I vowed to see the beauty in life,
And appreciate every second that's mine.

And then I held that wilted flower up to my nose
And breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful rose
And smiled as I watched that young boy,
Another weed in his hand,
About to change the life of an unsuspecting old man
- Anonymous

your own sunshine....

Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.
-Anthony J. D'Angelo

Just One...

Just One
By Anonymous

One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal
One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey.
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what's true,

One life can make a difference,
You see, it's up to you!

And Joy is Everywhere...

Joy
- Rabindranath Tagore

And Joy is Everywhere
It is in the Earth's green covering of grass
In the blue serenity of the Sky
In the reckless exuberance of Spring
In the severe abstinence of gray Winter
In the Living flesh that animates our bodily frame
In the perfect poise of the Human figure, noble and upright
In Living
In the exercise of all our powers
In the acquisition of Knowledge
in fighting evils...
Joy is there Everywhere.

something different.......

Discovery consists of looking at the same thing as everyone else does and thinking something different.
-- Albert Szent

little things..............

"Some times we take so much for granted and forget to appreciate the little things that make life complete.Perhaps they are not so little "

-Larry D

but now it is the rain.....

But now it is the rain
Possesses us entirely, the twilight and the rain.
- Alun Lewis

To You

To You.
- Walt Whitman

STRANGER! if you, passing, meet me, and desire to speak to me, why should you
not speak to me?
And why should I not speak to you?