White-Eyes
But his big, round music, after all,
is too breathy to last.
If you’ve read my blog for long or follow any of my social media accounts you know that herons are a very special presence in my life. I’m lucky to live close to a small body of water that always has a heron, or two, around. And although the Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) definitely does not have a white eye–they are yellow or gold–I thought of this Mary Oliver poem when I came across this photo I took a few years ago.
The poem also resonated with me because yesterday was the Winter Solstice: the first day of winter and the return of the light. The days grow longer and the nights grow shorter. Like Oliver’s bird, I grow ever more restless. I have an idea–ideas–unfolding from under my wings. Also like the white-eyed bird, I want to go to sleep. This season has always been a time of marinating dreams for me. Stewing. Conjuring. Imagining. For moving deep beneath surface life, just like the insects and worms and larvae that snuggle up against dormant (not dead!) plant roots deep within my garden’s soil. But like the roots, the worms, and the white-eyed bird, I need to rest. “So, it’s over, ” Oliver goes on. “He’s done all he can.” Yes, I reply. I have.
I’m going to hibernate for a while. And although many of us feel we’ve already been hibernating for so long, isolation/distancing is not the same as hibernation. Hibernation comes from the Latin word hibernare: to winter, pass the winter, occupy winter quarters. And I fully intend to pass the winter in my own way of dreaming, marinating, and conjuring even while I enter a deep restful state. There will be time for growth when the soil warms in the next season.
I just finished reading ‘Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times’ by Katherine May. It was a captivating book, part memoir and part meditation on culture, society, the natural world, and human nature. Now is the perfect time to read May’s book. Just ask Bootsie.
Order from your favorite Indy bookstore or here’s the link to mine: Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh NC.
That’s it for now! Happy, Merry, Joyous Absolutely Everything. See you next year…
One last thing. Did you see the Great Conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter? I walked down to the park where I could see above the tree line. I didn’t get National Geographic quality photos, but I did manage to capture this once-in-a-lifetime event with my Canon PAS. And a couple of La Luna.
Ah yes, Lynne. I believe that, too. Take good care. x
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Well captured, Cheryl. My hubby tried, but it was too overcast. These are excellent photos. And yes, hibernation has been extended, but we will emerge with more distilled and distinct wishes and dreams because of it. That is a reassurance.
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That looks like a really good book recommendation (although I can’t take my eyes off Bootsie 😊 ) That desire to hibernate and dream … beautifully said, Cheryl. Right there with you. Wishing you a peaceful and inspiring New Year. I’ll meet you in the ether for a celebratory toast! Jeanne
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What a lovely idea, Jeanne! We’ll celebrate the new year together separately. And maybe one of these years, we’ll meet in person. I still want to walk around your town with you and go to the book sale:) 🥂 📚💕
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That would be wonderful. Our big annual book sale is normally held in April. No telling what will be happening then with the pandemic and safety, but one never knows. You are always welcome to come up this way and visit. Being by the Delaware, there are so many charming little places to stay in the area – you would love it. Stay well and I’ll meet you for that toast! 🥂
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Sounds lovely. I’ve always meant to travel that way. ☺️
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Why do you think Mary Oliver called it a white eye? Robert Frost did something similar with a flower. In the poem “Design” he calls a heal-all white. They are blue or purple.
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That is my error of omission, Luanne. Oliver doesn’t name the bird as a heron. In fact, I don’t think she identifies the bird in the poem at all. It was my own thoughts about winter and the birds around my place that made me think of that poem. But, I’m often thinking of her multitudes of poems:) Hope you are feeling better and better! xo
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Ahhhh. I see. Well, I do still wonder about that Frost poem. haha
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Beautifully written Cheryl. Those ideas are part of the dreaming too, and they can wait until they’ve rested within your imagination for a while, ready to germinate in the spring. Wishing you the very best for the year to come.
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Thanks, Andrea. Wishing you the same. x
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Thanks for this, and well said. I’ve been teetering between forging ahead and holding back, daring and dreaming, undecided. Maybe that book will help.
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I understand—I’ve definitely been teetering:) I hope you like the book. Take good care.
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Very nice Cheryl. Love the photo of Bootsie
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Thank you! She’s our girl. ❤️
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Bootsie looks quite comfortable! Great heron shot. I hadn’t seen a heron at the park where I walk for quite a while, but then saw one on the morning of the solstice. It seemed a special gift.
That’s wonderful that you got to see the conjunction. It was cloudy and rainy here.
Happy holiday to you and yours!
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Oh Merril, don’t you just love and appreciate those special gifts? They seem to come at just the right time. The weather was perfect and the sky was clear. I’m sorry you had clouds. You’ll have to find clear skies for 2040! Happy Holidays!
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Those are great pictures. I saw one star but maybe my timing was off. I noticed that my usual Autumn energies have slowed since Winter poked in. Sleep and good rest has crept in. And much needed. Love the poem. Rest up and happy holidays.
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Thank you, Lisa. I’m pretty high energy in Autumn, too. And I love the crisp winter air, but it does make my body crave warmth, stews, hot cocoa, and rest. Merry Christmas to you and your family. xo
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Thank you and you too!
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Thanks for offering the book recommendation. Seems perfect timing. Wishing you plenty of rest and rejuvenation to blossom in the New Year —
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Thank you so much. Wishing you the same.
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Lovely post full of herons,
one of my favourite poets
And the best shots of the conjugation that I have seen! Rest, stay quiet and listen to the poems in your head.
Love Cathy xx
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Thank you so much, Cathy! I plan on it. xx❤️
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I like the way you link your heron thoughts to the poem; good photograph, too; congratulations on catching the planets
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Thanks so much, Derrick.
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Many thanks for the photos! It was cloudy here in Columbus Ohio. A fine winter season to you, dear Cheryl—-
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Thank you, Diana. It was pretty magnificent just looking up at them and knowing they’re always there.
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Cheryl, Thank you for this email—the poem, the book suggestion and especially your thoughtful prose. Much to absorb and good reminders about hibernating a bit longer. Lovely pictures of last nights great configuration. We are at the NC coast and had a splendid view though you have captured well with your camera.
Happy Solstice and merry Christmas. Love, Sarah
What if our religion was each other…If practice was our life…If prayer our words…What if the temple was the earth…What if meditation was our relationship…If the teacher was life…If love was the center of our being
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Sarah, it’s so lovely seeing you here at my blog. Thanks so much for reading and commenting. I bet the view at the coast was unbelievable! So glad you got to observe from there. Merry Christmas and much love.
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Very awesome!
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Thanks so much for reading.
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