Saturday, July 11, 2009

Tell Me a Story


This flower is called Love in the Mist. Isn't that beautiful?
Well, the scientific name is Nigella, but I prefer the other name. It tells such an enchanting story...those delicate fern-like tendrils look like they could vaporize into a misty blanket, cradling the soft purple in its protective loving arms.

I passed a man on the mountain yesterday who I see quite often wandering the hilly cliff sides, his lab by his side. It had rained the day before and everything was moist and deeply fragrant...nourished after a long dry spell. He mentioned to me how his dog loves to be out on days like this, exploring everything with his curious black nose. He said, "A dewy morning tells many more stories than a dry summer afternoon."
Hmmm.

Although, the story the mountain was telling me yesterday was an upsetting one. As I continued on my way, I discovered to my horror that a large part of the grassy cliff had recently suffered a brushfire. To my nose, it felt as though I was walking across a giant ashtray. I always worry during the summer that the mountain and surrounding forest will burn, especially when it is so dry. If something happened here, I don't know if I would ever get over it.
As troubling as it was to see half the mountainside charred and black, I was so grateful that it didn't reach the trees. It was a reminder to appreciate every moment I have in this sacred space. The whole forest could be quickly wiped out with one careless flick of a cigarette.

I may not have the nose of an inquiring golden lab, but I too am attentive to the stories of the natural world. Life is fragile and precious and we need to lovingly protect it, like the gentle arms of a Nigella.

12 comments:

  1. that is the perfect name for such an enchanting flower :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. That is a beautiful name for such a lovely flower. I'm always saddened to see the remains of a forest fire, but then I remember that some forms of new life can only be generated from the heat of the fire. Out of death there is life and renewal.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love in the Mist looks a bit sneaky to me, but really I suppose that's how love is, isn't it? It just takes you by surprise.

    I used to live in Southern Arizona & sometimes we would see lightning fires on the mountains surrounding us - beautiful from a distance, but up close, not so much. The mountains always came back. Always. They know secrets we do not.

    :) Debi

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a beautiful name for such a sweet flower. I like to think that photography encourages us to pay attention and to focus on the fragility of the natural world. Inspiring words - as always.

    ReplyDelete
  5. beautiful shot and thoughts, though those tendrils do intrigue me - a beauty drawing in us in to wrap us up and keep us forever?

    ReplyDelete
  6. "Life is fragile and precious"
    and lovingly___
    but life bring death__
    friend or not,
    and death begets life
    and the circle begets
    a new world of green
    among the corn
    in the south of old worlds.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hi Jaime, I don't know why it took me so long to discover your lovely blog through The Four! It is enchanting :) K.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love that name too, and so fitting to the visual. It is easy to become complacent when we live in such beautiful surroundings. Thank you for this gentle and strikingly beautiful reminder.
    :-)

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am always in awe of the beauty that is woven with every word that you share.
    When you are away there are parched places within the soul that are only hydrated and awakened again by the kiss that only your eyes and your words can bring.
    Thank you for nourishing me today my most beautiful friend.
    so much love...
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  10. wow, your words....they make my soul dance and twirl, they really do.

    and you always remind me of what is important. I wish i had people like you in my life......

    oh and that flower is amazing.


    enjoy your day :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a beautiful story. Will you shoot these when they go to seed? They are very interesting pods.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Love in a mist. Oh. sigh

    You make me want to create a perfume, put it in a crystal flagon and name it Love in a Mist.

    ReplyDelete