“Begin”

Begin again to the summoning birds
to the sight of the light at the window,
begin to the roar of morning traffic
all along Pembroke Road.
Every beginning is a promise
born in light and dying in dark
determination and exaltation of springtime
flowering the way to work.
Begin to the pageant of queuing girls
the arrogant loneliness of swans in the canal
bridges linking the past and future
old friends passing though with us still.
Begin to the loneliness that cannot end
since it perhaps is what makes us begin,
begin to wonder at unknown faces
at crying birds in the sudden rain
at branches stark in the willing sunlight
at seagulls foraging for bread
at couples sharing a sunny secret
alone together while making good.
Though we live in a world that dreams of ending
that always seems about to give in
something that will not acknowledge conclusion
insists that we forever begin.

— From The Essential Brendan Kennelly

Opening poem chosen and read by Nancy L.

Ode to a rose.

As I walked, bundled up through Brookgreen this  morning,

hands in pockets for warmth,  the opening poem stayed with me, 

the renewing and beginnings.

Walking beside the garden wall I came upon a pink rose.

An old rose I thought, with small delicate flowers in clusters.

I went from rose to rose gathering the aroma  into my nostrils. Ahhh.

I looked at the name and thought I need to remember this.

Alas, the mind, being capricious failed to comply.

I’m sure it was an old rose, not one of the hybrid types 

but perhaps had been around at the time of Marie Antoinette,

(I read that she had a wonderful rose garden).  The name 

was French I’m sure of it!!

Grateful to have had a wonderful precursor to the perfume of spring flowers, 

and a reminder of the fallibility of memory ,……… not so much. 

Reflection by Jill W.

 

As I thought about “forever begin”, my attention was drawn to seed pods from a variety of species. Each beautiful and unique in its own way, carrying seeds to begin another generation. Most of the seeds will not become small plants and mature shrubs and trees, but a few will be nourished by the warm earth, rain and sun, and grow into extraordinary creations. Nature dances in cycles… birth, life, death … with all of God’s creations forever beginning…

And after writing this reflection, I read this fabulous quote by Howard Thurman: “The earth beneath my feet is the great womb out of which the life upon which my body depends comes in utter abundance. There is at work in the soil a mystery by which the death of one seed is reborn a thousandfold in newness of life. The magic of wind, sun and rain creates a climate that nourishes every living thing. It is law, and more than law; it is order, and more than order—there is a brooding tenderness out of which it all comes. In the contemplation of the earth, I know that I am surrounded by the love of God.” – From The Center for Action and Contemplation, Jan. 20, 2022

Photos and reflection by Nancy L.