Last week I was texting with a friend who had had a bad teaching day. It happens. I'd had a not-so-good week myself. We compared notes, and in the course of our conversation, she said that she was feeling grumpy and wondering about the meaning of life. I sent her this photo and wrote, "The meaning of life is rain-soaked bougainvillea."
I had run home that day during my free period because I had forgotten my Kindle and I needed it for class. It was a muddy day, and I was in the middle of a yucky week. And when I saw this, it made everything better.
I know, I know, there's more to life than rain-soaked bougainvillea. There's an election next week, for example, and we are grown-ups with serious issues to deal with. And yet...just look at that. For that moment when I turned my camera on all that beauty, the world seemed like a place where everything was how it was supposed to be.
I thought about it, then added a few more syllables and made a haiku. (I know you don't have to stick to the 17 syllable thing, but I did anyway.)
Roadside flash, hot-pink
Rain-soaked bougainvillea
The meaning of life
I'm thankful for the beautiful moments in even the hardest days. They make it easier to turn back to the challenges with a fresh perspective.
Jama has this week's roundup.
4 hours ago
11 comments:
What a blessing to happen upon a flash of beauty to brighten up a difficult day. Lovely poem and photo, Ruth!
Dear Ruth: The meaning of life IS rain-soaked bougainvillea! I love it, and the pic, and haiku, and that you would offer this to a friend... and to us. Thank you! xo
Thank goodness for these moments of everything being just right!
I put up our "Thanksgiving tree" yesterday. We write what we are thankful for on paper leaves and stick them on. Among other things, I included "wet dog noses." It's the little things...
I count on those moments every day, Ruth, and love that you found this "rain-soaked bougainvillea" when you needed it. Those small things are what I wish for everyone.
You're so right, Ruth. The meaning of life is the collection of moments worth capturing.
With positivity in mind, you created an image and a haiku to remind us that nature brings joy to the world no matter how rain-soaked it is. Thanks, Ruth. Would you be interested in pairing the two together to create an image poem for my Abundant Autumn Gallery? It will present a different shade of autumn for others to see.
Ruth, I think the meaning of life is one friend reaching out to another AND rain-soaked bougainvillea! Lovely poem and photo and a reminder to look for the surprise around the corner. Thank you!
Thank god for wonderful bits of nature like your "Rain-soaked bougainvillea" that we can take momentary refuge in and forget about the world, if just for a moment. Beautiful haiku, thanks Ruth!
Yep, I agree-taking time to focus on those beautiful moments is the best way to restore sanity. Thanks for sharing yours!
Ruth, this is beautiful. Your post reminds me of Mary Oliver -- "Every Day I see or hear something that more or less kills me with delight..." and of Wendell Berry "For a time/ I rest in the grace of the world, and am free." I was stunned by the beauty of the evening sky tonight and was trying to express this to my husband--The intense and overwhelming joy I find in the beauty that surrounds us. Your poem did so much more eloquently than I was able to. Thank you.
Yes, I love those stop-and-smell-the-roses moments. You've captured the feeling perfectly.
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