Whistling Swans — Mary Oliver

Do you bow your head when you pray
or do you look up into that blue space?
Take your choice, prayers fly from all directions.
And don’t worry about what language you use,
God no doubt understands them all.
Even when the swans are flying north
and making such a ruckus of noise, God is surely 
listening and understanding.
Rumi said, “There is no proof of the soul.”
But isn’t the return of spring and how it springs up
in our hearts a pretty good hint?
Yes, I know, God’s silence never breaks,
but is that really a problem?
There are thousands of voices, after all,
and furthermore, don’t you imagine
that the swans know about as much as we do 
about the whole business?
So listen to them and watch them,
singing as they fly.
Take from it what you can.

—Opening poem chosen and read by Amy W.

Yes is My Choice

(an answer to Mary Oliver’s question

In Whistling Swans)

At the end of the wooden walkway

on my way to the old rice fields

surprise!

rhodies abloom

in full magenta majesty

some robed in white

offer their own light

to the shade.

They require only looking

up, bowing down, to find

in them the details 

of delicate strength.

They open when it’s time.

They stand and face the elements.

They defy the odds that suggest

mountain cool is necessary to survive.

I admire their gumption, 

their full-out embrace

of possibility.

Under a carolina blue heaven

I move in closer, bend down to examine 

low-lying clusters begging not to be missed,

and I see the poison ivy carpet, everywhere,

its spiky three-leafed presence

whispering caution, even demanding 

I turn back. 

I stop.  I choose.

I will carefully remove my shoes

later, wash off

any residue of threat, but now 

it’s yes to traversing the risk

to hold that grail cup of blossoms 

in my thirsty hands.

— Photos and poem by Amy Webb, May 1, 2022

The line in the poem “God’s silence never ends” struck me – God is not silent to me – He speaks through the beauty of nature and through other people. In the quiet, I hear Him. Walking the labyrinth this morning listening to the wind and the birds I heard His voice.

— Photos and reflection by Bonnie L.

I missed Walking in Wonder this week, but on a walk by myself on a glorious day at Brookgreen, I let the the beauty, wonder and peace of this place wash over me.

Sun illuminates

Cool air soothes the soul

Glorious bounty.

— Photos and reflection by Nancy L.