bees

What the Bee Sees

Posted by

Lean close to summer blooms—

peek into petunias,

dive deep into daylilies,

stare boldly at black-eyed Susans,

push past flashy petals

into the center,

the inner sanctum,

anthers and stamen,

tiny flying flags

or miniature stars

or prickly pillows

dusty with pollen,

maybe moist with the season’s

sweet dew.

This is what the bee must see

as he follows the path

of a petal’s dark veins

to settle headfirst,

to nestle inside

for a moment

or two.

The butterfly flicks

her curling, unfurling,

thread-thin tongue

to taste this splendor.

The ant tiptoes in,

humble on this holy ground,

this extravagant gift.

It’s our gift too

for the mere price

of a moment’s noticing.

Peek in.

Dive deep.

Lean close.

Stare boldly.

See what the bee sees.

– kh –

Nurture peace, cultivate kindness, and carry the calm.

 

Nature of the week:

Shadow of the Week:

If you want me to send these thoughts to your email each Sunday, simply sign up on the right.

Text and photos © 2023 Karyn Henley. All rights reserved.

The Heavy, Drowsy Days of Summer

Posted by

 

Heavy is the green of the fields, heavy the trees

With foliage hang, drowsy the hum of bees

In the thund’rous air: the crowded scents lie low:

Thro’ tangle of weeds the river runs slow.

– Robert Bridges –

“July” from Basil and Edward

 

It has been a heavy, drowsy week, sultry with humidity. Gardens hummed with bees and hummingbird wings. Lazy breezes drifted past, full of fragrant scents from nodding blossoms. Then grumbling thunderstorms drenched it all until the sun broke through, stirring up the humidity again. Nature nudges us to pay attention with all our senses, and when we do, she rewards us with wonder and deep peace.

When you find that peace, nurture it. Cultivate kindness. And carry the calm.

 

Nature of the week:

Shadow of the Week:

If you want me to send these thoughts to your email each Sunday, simply sign up on the right.

Text and photos © 2020 Karyn Henley. All rights reserved.

As a Bee to a Flower

Posted by

 

“I go to books and to nature as a bee goes to the flower,

for a nectar that I can make into my own honey.”

– John Burroughs –

 

Here’s hoping that you find ways to make honey of your life and that others will taste its sweetness.

Nurture peace. Cultivate kindness. Carry the calm.

 

Nature of the week—my neighbor’s ginger:

Shadow of the Week:

If you want me to send these thoughts to your email each Sunday, simply sign up on the right.

Text and photos © 2020 Karyn Henley. All rights reserved.

How Autumn Conspires with the Sun

Posted by

 

“To Autumn”

Seasons of mists and mellow fruitfulness!

Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;

Conspiring with him how to load and bless

With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eaves run;

To bend with apples the mossed cottage-trees,

And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;

To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells

With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,

And still more, later flowers for the bees,

Until they think warm days will never cease,

For summer has o’erbrimmed their clammy cells.

– John Keats –

 

May you journey through autumn with your heart open wide to its bounty. Pay attention. Nurture peace, cultivate loving kindness, and carry the calm.

Nature of the week:

Shadow of the Week:

 

If you want me to send these thoughts to your email each Sunday, simply sign up on the right.

For my posts on life, faith, and the mystery we call God, link here.

 

Text and photos © 2017 Karyn Henley. All rights reserved.

What Do a Moment and a Blossom Have in Common?

Posted by

 

“Look past your thoughts

so you may drink the pure nectar of this moment.”

– Rumi –

 

Nurture peace, cultivate loving-kindness, and carry the calm.

Nature of the week – A moment and a blossom, both hold nourishment. Three are looking for nectar in this picture: two bees and one ant – see them?

Shadow of the Week – seen through leaves of coleus:

If you want me to send these thoughts to your email each Sunday, simply sign up on the right.

For my posts on life, faith, and the mystery we call God, link here.

 

Text and photos © 2017 Karyn Henley. All rights reserved.