Mary The Font Solitude 2012

"These things you have given me

without my asking:

the sky, the light,

my mind, my body, my life."

-Tagore

Carolina Buckthorn

The Stream Was Dry.

Found Item #1

Found Item#2

Found Item #3

Boneset

Found Fossils

My time of silence was last minute, but needed.  The weather was beautiful and the birds were plentiful.  I saw Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Blue Jay, Wood Thrush, Red-Headed Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker, and Barred Owl.  

I re-read Life and Holiness by Thomas Merton.  I also enjoyed reading the poetry of Rabindranath Tagore, a Bengali poet who was born in 1861.

"That you protect me in danger-

this is not my prayer;

Let me not know fear

when in danger.

I do not ask You to comfort me

in the heat of sadness,

in an aching state of mind.  

Make me victorious 

over sadness.

Let not my strength break down

when i find myself without refuge.

If I suffer any worldly loss,

if I'm repeatedly frustrated,

let me not consider this

harm irreparable.

That you come to save me-

this is not my prayer;

I ask for strength 

to overcome.

You need not comfort me

by lightening my load;

I ask for strength 

to carry my burden.

On days of joy

with humble head

I will remember you.

I will recognize you.

On a dark, sad night,

full of frustrations

O then may i not 

doubt you!"