Starlings In Winter

Image of the Week
Hand-drawn art by Rupali Bhuva
Image of the Week
Estorninos en invierno
--por María Oliver
Robustos y ruidosos,
pero con estrellas en sus plumas negras,
brotan del cable telefónico
y al instante
son acróbatas
en el viento helado.
Y ahora, en el teatro del aire,
se balancean sobre los edificios,
sumergiéndose y subiendo;
flotan como una estrella punteada
que se abre,
se fragmenta por un momento,

luego se vuelve a cerrar;
y miras
y lo intentas
pero simplemente no puedes imaginar
cómo lo hacen
sin instrucción articulada, sin pausa,
sólo la confirmación silenciosa
que son esta cosa notable,
Esta rueda de muchas partes, que puede elevarse y girar.
una y otra vez,

llena de vida hermosa.
Ah, mundo, qué lecciones nos preparas,
Incluso en el invierno sin hojas,
Incluso en la ciudad cenicienta.
estoy pensando ahora
en la pena y en superarla;
siento mis botas
tratando de dejar el suelo,
siento mi corazón
bombeando fuerte. Quiero
volver a pensar en cosas peligrosas y nobles.
Quiero ser ligera y juguetona.
Quiero ser increíblemente bella y no tener miedo de nada,
como si tuviera alas.

Preguntas semilla para la reflexión: ¿Cómo te relacionas con lo que parece hermoso en la naturaleza y, sin embargo, viene sin instrucciones articuladas y solo con la confirmación silenciosa de su notoriedad? ¿Puedes compartir una historia personal de un momento en el que observar la naturaleza te recordó que debías superar el dolor y volver a ser liger@? ¿Qué te ayuda a querer pensar de nuevo en cosas nobles?
De su colección, Búhos y otras fantasías.
Seed Questions for Reflection

How do you relate to what appears beautiful in nature and yet, comes with no articulated instruction, and only the silent confirmation of notability? Can you share a personal story of a time observing nature reminded you to get past grief and be light again? What helps you want to think again of noble things?

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Add Your Reflection

15 Past Reflections
DI
Feb 10, 2024
Whenever I hear birdsong - particularly at dawn, but really all day long, I feel momentarily liberated from the burdens of my small-picture view of life. Ah, thank God for the birds, their larger chorus of meaning overtaking my own, making mine right-sized! I want to think of noble things, like birds and all other-than-human beings, of stars, and the elements, because they take me outside of my little self and help me let go of it. They help me find love somewhere else.
AJ
Anita jajoo
Jan 25, 2024
Nature helps u sorting things in life if u strongly beleve
PD
Patricia Delfin
Jan 24, 2024
A falcon flew over me today and yesterday, just as I was laying on the grass with my cats. I had meditated and was resting, in flow. It's like it came to say: "I see you are trusting and I am a sign to keep going."
AA
Amit Arora
Jan 24, 2024
i liked this week's poem for its simplicity and the simple, natural things that it brings into perspective. It also reminded me of a passage on "An Awe Walk" that was shared recently. Come to think of it, everything made by God (or nature) is wondrous. The interconnections, the synergies, the consistency, the connect with nature of all things natural, are all awe-worthy. Seeing trees shed their leaves and then re-grow when the time is right, teaches so much about impermanence in everything. The ebb and rise of the waves, the rising and setting of the sun, they teach me to go along what comes my way. Personally, I have (more or less) stopped saying no to opportunities that present themselves because I do not know what path will come out of them. I tend to say yes more than no. I try to embrace what is coming my way. Of course, there is a liking for good things and an intention to leave what one doesn't like, but remembering about impermanence and of trees and sun, allow me to move ahea... View full comment
SH
Jan 23, 2024
Smile. How we smile and the other person smiles back to us. No articulation , just a silent acknowledgement of beingness.
I remember whenever I am in the park , for a morning walk , and sometimes in a pensive mood, and suddenly we exchange smiles , and the entire pensive mood vanishes and life starts appearing wonderful and joyous again.
Suddenly a flower , that was falling off the tree , falls near me or over me , and I feel divinely blessed.
Oh , how beautiful everything is
TO
Jan 23, 2024
This was dropped in my email on one of the dreariest Chicago winter days. I felt myself soar as I read it. Then discovered it was none other than Mary Oliver. But of course!
GH
Jan 23, 2024
Oh starlings! I have watched in amazement their dance. Creator as choreographer. Isn’t it glorious!
PH
Jan 23, 2024
I watched those "never knew what birds they were until today" amazing acrobats in the sky!
AP
Jan 23, 2024
Appreciate your WINGS of "TI = True Intelligence" to circumambulate as desired !!
MA
Jan 18, 2024
Mary Oliver touches us so deeply, our inner longings with her words. I love the ending words - 'I feel my boots
trying to leave the ground,
I feel my heart
pumping hard. I want

to think again of dangerous and noble things.
I want to be light and frolicsome.
I want to be improbable beautiful and afraid of nothing,
as though I had wings.'
JP
Jan 18, 2024
Nature offers so many noble gifts of wonderment, joy, and beauty. In order to enjoy and appreciate these noble and wonderful gifts we need to be silent as Mary Oliver says " In order to be light and froilsome" we need "only the silent confirmation." Reading these words "the silent cofirmation" reminds me of theTaoist path of silence. Once Laotzu, the author of Taoism, was walking with his friend silently deeply enjoying the gifts of nature, birds welcoming the rising sun and the sky displaying wonderful colors, his companion uttered " Vow! Waht a beautiful sight!". Lao Tzu asked him to witness the beauty of nature without uttering a word. When my wife passed away, I felt deep grief and sadness. Remaining silent helped me to go through the grieving process, the "dark night of the soul." I have also enjoyed the bright rays of the sun and the thick darkness of the night. I have learnt to go with the flow of life without resistance. When I have resisted the flow of life I have suffer... View full comment
SH
Shyam Jan 23, 2024
Learning to go with the flow of life, without resistance, is the key , I guess. Laotzu .s instructions are so meaningful. its about internalising what we see rather than discussing about we see.
DD
Jan 18, 2024
The vast majority of activities, and the most remarkable of activities, come with no articulated instruction. I have no idea how I circulate my blood or move my muscles which are beautiful and important activities that I do without instruction or knowing how I do them. Observing nature shows me that everything has its season, and where everything comes from and goes to goes on I believe eternally. I go to the memorial of a dear friend of many years this coming Saturday -- I am sad and miss her physical presence and I know that nonphysical she continues always, and I feel joy and lightness in that. The Serbian saying "Be humble for you are made of earth. Be noble for you are made of stars" helps me be aware of the noble. Actually, the earth and all existence is stardust, and knowing that very much increases my awareness of the noble.
SH
Shyam Jan 23, 2024
The Serbian saying "Be humble for you are made of earth. Be noble for you are made of stars". So profound.
BS
Jan 18, 2024
Nature is my guide, my teacher. Connecting with the Natural World brings awe, wonder, beauty. Being grateful too.