natural, infinite, yes

i thank You God for most this amazing day:

for the leaping greenly spirits of trees 

and a blue true dream of sky;and for everything 

which is natural which is infinite which is yes  

(i who have died am alive again today, 

and this is the sun's birthday;this is the birth 

day of life and love and wings:and of the gay 

great happening illimitably earth)  

how should tasting touching hearing seeing 

breathing any--lifted from the no 

of all nothing--human merely being 

doubt unimaginable You? 

(now the ears of my ears awake and 

now the eyes of my eyes are opened)

e.e. cummings

cedar photo by me, this morning, in the backyard in cobourg. 

The Guest House (November 22)

This being human is a guest house.

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,

some momentary awareness comes

as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all.

Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,

who violently sweep your house

empty of its furniture,

still, treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out

for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,

meet them at the door laughing,

and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,

because each has been sent as a guide from beyond.

- - Rumi, A Year With Rumi