Keep breathing

A private garden near Coit Tower, San Francisco. The garden features traditional roses, as well as abundant jade plants.

For the past two days, have been in the midst of a rare migraine attack, leaving me a bit melancholy. This morning I opened email to discover music and verse to match my mood. My friend Gracey sent this song and another friend sent Wendell Berry's poem The Peace of Wild Things:

"When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children's lives may be
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For the time
I rest in the grace of the world and am free."

Wishing you all a peaceful Tuesday.

P.S. Susannah has a Popsicle-bright post guaranteed to make you smile.

And in the news: the wondrous, as remains of an ancient church are discovered in Jordan and the outrageous, as the Bush administration willfully protects war profiteers from prosecution.

Comments

[Karen DeGroot Carter]

I'm on the verge of returning to poetry, Tara. Thanks for the gentle push in the right direction. Hope you're fully recovered by now...hugs, K.

[Madeline]

I hope you're feeling better. I got Ingrid Michaelson's cd for christmas and I love it. The poem is very moving, too.

[Lisa & Alfie at The Pickled Hutch]

I read that and felt myself unwind. Hope you did too. I have never had migraines although witnessed many in our family. Feel better Tara.
Lisa & Alfie

[JP/deb]

Hey babe, I hope the migraine has eased up. You still managed to post some lovely pics throughout (amazing). Sending you peace, love and happy thoughts across the seas. xx, deb

[Laume]

I do empathize with your migraine and mood issues - I've been fighting both the last week. This too shall pass. I had forgotten that poem was Berry's. Lovely. You mention jade plants. I miss those. We had practically a jade TREE in our yard at a house in San Anselmo my mom lived in for awhile. And Bay Laurels. Miss those too.

[kelly snelling]

oh do feel better! mean melancholia must find another threshold to cross.

[dana]

Tara.....hope relief comes soon.

Just catching up (again!). Honestly, don't know where the time seems to be slipping away to. I love all you photos and am drawn to the yellow.....Jordana's lovely confident shoes, the yellow pitchers and vases..........yellow is the colour for my eyes today.

all gorgeous photos......great political articles and a stunning daughter on her way to a new and very interesting part of her journey.........x

[sherry]

Sounds like a little post vacation let down too -- being with loved ones, friends, seeing places and people you don't see all the time, the excitment over Jordana's graduation...be good to you and just take the time you need to reflect and feel at peace.

[susanna]

Awwwwww...Tara!!!! Thank YOU so much for the nod. You are a kind soul. And I hope that you feel better soon. Migraines are horrible and blue days aren't much better, are they? Just know that brighter and calmer days are just ahead.

Thank you for the link to the song. I keep replaying it. And this poem...well, I'm going to write these beautiful, peaceful, hopeful words onto paper and tack it to the wall.

[Yoli]

I am sorry Tara, I feel for you. I suffer from Migraines, very bad ones. I woke up with one this morning.

[Tammy]

I can relate Tara! I've been dealing with a two day migraine from a weekend with TK. Terrible two's on girls does not compare to boys...argh! Great pick me up!

Caffeine and a hot shower helps!

HUGS

[Gillian ~ Indigo Blue]

Migraines suck big ones. I am so sorry to hear you are suffering through it. I also am sorry you are melancholic? is that a word? Anyhoo, you know what I mean. It is almost like when we feel sick our rose coloured glasses are ripped off and we see the world with a dull grey cast on it. Your poem is wonderful, it reminds me to be still and stay in the NOW.
Much love for a brighter happier day tomorrow Tara!
xo

[tangobaby]

I wish I had something more profound and helpful to say right now, but mostly I'm wishing for your complete recovery and that when you open your eyes tomorrow, the day will be bright and wonderful.

[annieelf]

I love walking around the city and then discovering a little bright spot tucked away in the corner. Very peaceful. Annie

[Jeanie]

I need a little peace this week. Thanks, Tara!

[studio wellspring]

but we need the down times too ~ they carve us out & give us the time & space to contemplate. and then when we come out on the other side, we see that a space has been made to be filled with new blisses & discoveries. when you're feeling better, your world will look so much brighter & more hopeful than it did before. much love to you!

[Leau]

Hope you feel better soon, thanks for reminding me how much I love Wendall Berry!

[Colette]

I know exactly how you feel, so you have my full sympathy and get-well-very-soon wishes. xoxoxo

[dianamuse]

Wishing you sweet relief from the migraine misery. The beauty and integrity of the natural world, gorgeous imagery and kind friends - these are all such precious gifts. Thank you for this, Tara.

[giggles]

Beautiful words of serenity! Hope you feel better soon!

Hugs Giggles

[My Mélange]

Feel better dear friend. Feel better.

[leonie]

sorry to hear you haven't been feeling so great :(
hope you are feeling better now.

i love the line/s in the poem that say
"i come into the peace of wild things who do not tax their lives with forethought and grief"

beautiful.