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Friday 15 April 2016

Martha's Words

It was a time of intense wonder in the north, after the long, harsh months when the heart is shut out from communion with the earth.    Wild Geese by Martha Ostenso, 1925


It was sunny but cold, the promise of a spring day brought me out for a walk to the park. This park is where we take our granddaughters, when weather permits. It's been months now since our last visit but the girls have not forgotten. When they see the park, they mention it, wondering when we will go back.

It was encouraging to walk around the park that day, with so much to look forward to, children on the slides, swings, monkey bars, see saws, conversations on the benches and picnics. 



Before long, the grounds will be cleared of the leaves and branches but despite the debris, it was beautiful. The maple trees, outlined against the blue sky, showed the promise of new growth.



While the dried leaves crunched under foot, 



the soft moss muffled my footsteps. It was peaceful and still, as if the park was sleeping, about to rouse from a long snooze. It too was waiting!



The eye could not help but be drawn upward to the branches and their embrace of the deep blue sky.



 The moment was memorable. Martha knew our northern home so well.

 





16 comments:

Anvilcloud said...

We live in hope, eh?

DJan said...

The blue sky is lovely to see. I'm amazed at how different our environment is, with our leaves all budded out already, and yours still to come. That is a nice park.:-)

ADRIAN said...

Looking forward to a wonderful summer.

Hilary said...

That promise of spring is illustrated so well with your own words and lovely photos.

Joanne Noragon said...

Suddenly, at the end of the week, it has grown warm. The sky is as blue as yours for the last two days. I will be in the dirt tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

Beautiful post. The Canada Geese know it too, although more and more of them make VA a year-round home. Beautiful park. Soon you will once again know the green. However, I love all the seasons, and once spent much time in the woods in winter. Best of all was the smell of fallen leaves.

Ginnie said...

Lovely Marie ... both Martha's words and your wonderful photos. Thanks.

Marie Smith said...

We sure do!

Marie Smith said...

It is very different for us this year because there wasn't much snow, unlike last year.

Marie Smith said...

We sure are!

Marie Smith said...

It was inspiring!

Marie Smith said...

Too early for us in the dirt but I hope you enjoy it. Happy digging.

Angela said...

Such beautiful blue skies! The park is indeed a lovely spot to take kids. Our kids used to love parks when they were young now my oldest is in her thirties. You got lovely photos!

Marie Smith said...

Geese were back here the first week in March this year. A huge gaggle flew overhead today. I love their sound.

Marie Smith said...

Martha wrote a great book almost one hundred years ago. She captured the land and the seasons perfectly. I love that her words live on...

Marie Smith said...

Thank you. Hope you have blue skies this weekend.