Cottonwood
The ‘Why?’ Of The Story
On the days when my body and brain scream “No!” and no amount of meditation or positive self talk can penetrate the “wall of pain” and fatigue, I wonder who am I to presume that I can offer support to those afflicted with chronic pain or illness? It was on one such day when I was spending time doing, well ‘nothing,’ that I found myself staring mindlessly out of my window….Suddenly I became aware that it was ‘snowing’ Cottonwood! It was a soothing and hypnotic sight and I simply couldn’t resist the urge to capture in words what I was witnessing. It really showed me the potential for finding simple pleasure in the midst of seemingly adverse circumstances.
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Cottonwood
Raining down through the sky like iridescent snowflakes.
Spewing through the air from all directions like hot and ready popping corn.
Sweeping from the East like confetti pilfered from a nearby wedding.
Dancing from the West like fireflies toing and froing against the whistling wind.
Spinning from the South like twirling samaras helicoptering to the earth.
Whirlygiging from the North like ecstatic Sufi dancers in full flight.
All melding, blending, floating and falling.
Landing with a satisfied sigh, as a carpet of “snow” on the luscious green earth.
…“Add music to this visual symphony ”, a disembodied voice suggests…
Who best to accompany these orbs of angel wings as they fall to the earth?
Brahms? Schubert? Handel? Such collective beauty and yet, no…
Tchaikovsky of course, “The Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy”
Bask now in an energy popping sound bath complimenting nature’s own visuals.
The orbs perk up and pick up the rhythm …
There are solo dancers, pairs, and even complete troupes.
All finding and creating their own tempo and beat.
Guided and conducted masterfully by the Wind in her role of maestra and orchestra leader.
Fast…slow… Wait …”no!”….
Allegro… Adagio…!
What delicious words, serving to add a sensuousness to the performance.
…They carry an essence of sophistication when spoken, requiring the activation of all parts of the tongue and the jaw, the entire face even…
Allegro…Adagio…!
A worthy addition to the symphony of the senses.
One orb has decided to play the “lead”…she is indeed the Sugar Plum Fairy!
Swaying, shimmering, hopping and bopping, guiding the others in a Heaven sent flashmob.
…..Venturing outside one is greeted by a merry Christmas scene on a blustery June day!
Shoppers are rushing around clad in shorts and flip-flops rather than the hats and “Macs” of winter, arms laden with “takeout” instead of gifts.
They smile warmly as the “sequin” filled balls of fluff land on, and tickle their noses…
Curious puppies sneeze as they cautiously sniff and snort the mysterious fluffy morsels.
Ultimately and intimately, the orbs gather together to rest from their travels.
Nesting in collegial clumps , suggesting the possibility of, and creating the urge to pick them up to fashion an angel wing “snowball”.
Not to throw but rather to savour, to capture the moment and to cherish it as a precious interlude…
As a gift…
A respite from the multitude of seemingly harsh realities that abound in our world today.
What a gift indeed!
To find sanctuary and peace, even for a brief interlude inside one’s very own Snow Globe!