A Day of Small, Wonderful Things

These things I saw in my yard today:

Mayapple Blossom

Lily of the Valley

Peony with Ants

Forget Me Nots

Viburnum

Columbine

Robin Eggs

Ferns at Sunset

These words I read and wondered why I had never read them before, 

or if I had, I wonder how could I have forgotten them:

A Noiseless Patient Spider

A NOISELESS, patient spider,
I mark’d, where, on a little promontory, it stood, isolated;
Mark’d how, to explore the vacant, vast surrounding,
It launch’d forth filament, filament, filament, out of itself;
Ever unreeling them—ever tirelessly speeding them.

And you, O my Soul, where you stand,
Surrounded, surrounded, in measureless oceans of space,
Ceaselessly musing, venturing, throwing,—seeking the spheres, to connect them;
Till the bridge you will need, be form’d—till the ductile anchor hold;
Till the gossamer thread you fling, catch somewhere, O my Soul.

Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass

Thanks to Ze Frank's The Show for the link to this poem, and for reminding me to appreciate the way the internet helps us to find people who think like us, and that the thoughts that sometimes make us feel the most lonely are the also the thoughts that have the most potential to make us feel connected.

Thanks to the blogger who suggested I memorize a poem, and to the one who recommended I write one down and carry it in my pocket. I wish I could remember which ones and give credit, but I blog hopped down too many paths today. At least I got outside for a while and walked a path of my own.

Ciao for now.