Sunday, September 11, 2011

Moving in a holy dance

The seed hides the seedling, in the seedling hides the tree
In the holy tree hides all the seeds of forests yet to be
Gift of food, gift of shelter, blessed presence on this earth
She will lay her broken body down to bring new seeds to earth.

One great circle of life, living circle of love
Plants and trees, seas and rivers
and the blessed sky above.
Creatures great, creatures small
form the web that weaves us all
In the circle of life.


We are moving in a holy dance of life and death and birth.

from "Circle of Life" by Marty Haugen
a beautiful hymn that you can hear here.

The circumference of the circle of life seems small at this stage of my life, and especially in this season - perhaps my favorite season.  A brilliantly colored leaf stood out on the grass today, reminding me that soon the trees will be brilliant in the late afternoon sun behind my fence.  Already the sassafras is turning.

But there is new life in the garden even as the trees remind us so beautifully that
their branches will soon be bare.
The tri-color sedum is at its finest, and prettier this year than in years past.
Mums are full and promising a riot of blooms.


Hardy ageratum has budded and will soon color the garden blue.

And the asters that bloomed in Spring are back with their cheery yellow centers.

And the creatures that remind me most of this circle of life - the butterflies - are most abundant now.  Twice this week a tiger swallowtail danced in the air around me, and I was happy to resist the 
temptation to rush for the camera. Yesterday, on a walk through the neighborhood, I saw a giant swallowtail and took these pictures with my phone camera.

It is, indeed, a holy dance.


13 comments:

Sherri B. said...

Beautiful photos, I can't belive what a good picture of the butterfly you got with your camera, wow!

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Wonderful photos Ginny. How nice to see the changing colors of fall happening. It is not something we see much of way down here in s.e. FL.

Enjoy all that lingering beauty that surrounds you and thank you for sharing it.

FlowerLady

HolleyGarden said...

Lovely post. What a moving hymn. I need to stop mourning the loss of summer and appreciate the beauty of autumn.

Alistair said...

Autumn colours will soon be showing here Ginny. I will keep a look out for that particular Sedum. Very impressed with the quality of pictures from your phone.

The Sage Butterfly said...

Lovely hymn and beautiful photos! It is so wonderful that you were able to get a shot of the Giant Swallowtail...excellent!

Daricia said...

i have to echo sherrie b up there...what a great shot from a phone camera! my autumn joy sedum looks better than it ever has, too, though that's not saying a whole lot. i'm happy about it, though. can't wait for the mums, can you?

scottweberpdx said...

The seasons are indeed changing...it seems to be more and more noticeable with each day. Still, I love fall too...perhaps it's the very bittersweet nature of it that appeals to me.

Butrifli said...

Oh My Gosh! That picture of the butterfly is incredible... Love it!!!

Donna said...

wow I wish my camera took as good a picture as your cell phone...it is the talent of the taker...wonderful hymn/poem. I have spotted many trees starting their change on the way home. And with the cool nights coming this week we shall see more...lovely post!!

RURAL said...

So beautifully written. And great shots, love seeing other's gardens.

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

sweetbay said...

That Giant Swallowtail is gorgeous!

Benjamin Vogt said...

Boy, I wish we got giant swallowtails. Very cool!

Corner Gardener Sue said...

Beautiful post! I've been enjoying being around butterflies and a hummingbird at a time, resisting the urge to get my camera, too.