Kindness

I love poetry and often return to those poems that have stayed with me for a long time. "Kindness' is one of those poems. I had a very upsetting experience today, but when I returned to this poem it helped me make sense of my situation.

Kindness

Before you know what kindness really is
you must lose things,
feel the future dissolve in a moment
like salt in a weakened broth.
What you held in your hand,
what you counted and carefully saved,
all this must go so you know
how desolate the landscape can be
between the regions of kindness.
How you ride and ride
thinking the bus will never stop,
the passengers eating maize and chicken
will stare out the window forever.

Before you learn the tender gravity of kindness,
you must travel where the Indian in a white poncho
lies dead by the side of the road.
You must see how this could be you,
how he too was someone
who journeyed through the night with plans
and the simple breath that kept him alive.

Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside,
you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing.
You must wake up with sorrow.
You must speak to it till your voice
catches the thread of all sorrows
and you see the size of the cloth.

Then it is only kindness that makes sense anymore,
only kindness that ties your shoes
and sends you out into the day to mail letters and purchase bread,
only kindness that raises its head
from the crowd of the world to say
it is I you have been looking for,
and then goes with you every where
like a shadow or a friend.

~ Naomi Shihab Nye ~

(Words From Under the Words: Selected Poems)

Beauty of North Central Washington

 I think where I live is one of the most beautiful corners of the state. We just returned from the Methow Valley in north central Washington state. It has it's own beauty. Higher mountains, stark landscapes, river, and lovely trees. Above is a view in early morning on the highway. 

Here is a view toward the Okanagan Highlands.

The bare trees bunch together in the morning light.

Here is a view looking toward the Cascade Mountains. 

It is a beautiful part of the state and well worth a visit.

Simplicity of Nature

Even though the walk took me a longer time this morning, I decided to really concentrate on the small things of beauty as I walked with my husband and dogs on a river trail near where we were spending the week-end.I am sure I could have found even more simple images of nature if we had walked further. Enjoy.

Time to Retreat

We work at trying to build some time away from home throughout the year to give us time to relax, refresh, and retreat. We try to go somewhere close. We like places where it is quiet and the dogs are welcome. Tomorrow we will head to the Methow Valley in north central  Washington state. We like this area for many reasons. Everett grew up here and loves to revisit places he remembers. There are two bakeries to die for. Two coffee roasters and a good winery. The scenery is spectacular the times we have been there in spring and summer. We now look forward to enjoying autumn close to Winthrop and Mazama.

It is expected to be really cold. We are packing our wool sweaters and heavy socks. Books are going in the bag. The cameras are a must. I can't wait to drink morning coffee on the deck overlooking a nice river. Time to retreat.

A Nation's Strength

Such a powerful poem for today.

A Nation's Strength by Ralph Waldo Emerson What makes a nation's pillars high And it's foundations strong? What makes it mighty to defy The foes that round it throng? It is not gold. Its kingdoms grand Go down in battle shock; Its shafts are laid on sinking sand, Not on abiding rock. Is it the sword? Ask the red dust Of empires passed away; The blood has turned their stones to rust, Their glory to decay. And is it pride? Ah, that bright crown Has seemed to nations sweet; But God has struck its luster down In ashes at his feet. Not gold but only men can make A people great and strong; Men who for truth and honor's sake Stand fast and suffer long. Brave men who work while others sleep, Who dare while others fly... They build a nation's pillars deep And lift them to the sky.

A House Divided

When  I met my husband I was smitten. He fixed my gate. He brought me roses and iris plants from a  construction site to replant in my garden. He liked my cooking. We were both Christians. His dog liked my house better than his ( Everett and I were neighbors). My dogs liked his dog. He loved taking drives in the country. He also loved going out to eat for breakfast with me.

We have one difference. We are a house divided politically. We knew that when we married. I suppose we always "cancel" out our votes when we mail them in. It doesn't matter.  The political process is important to both of us. We both vote. We both follow our parties. We agree to disagree on issues that make him conservative and me more liberal. I think it is one of the things that adds strength to our marriage.

How strong are we? We can sit side by side and watch the blue and red states appear this evening and know that we will love and support our country no matter what. We are thankful for the freedoms our country has given us. The American flag flies by our gate  for both of us at 11 Crestview Dr.