A southern breeze and warm sunlight lift winter’s veil today, warming the valley enough to enjoy being barefoot on the lawn. Frost is expected to return by the weekend, but spring claims its moment for now.
The earth applauds in blooms.
Life, cramped beneath cold soil all winter, erupts in waves of color. Purple crocuses paint the lawn’s slope, their delicate petals trembling in the honeyed light. Buttercups scatter their bright yellow coins across the fresh grass like laughter. By the stream, Summer Snowflake lilies raise white bells on green stems as the cold water flows past. Against the cottage’s sun-warmed wall, daffodils unfurl golden trumpets. Purple periwinkle stars pierce through brown leaves along the woodland path, while trout lilies nod beneath bare branches. Wild garlic scents the air as bees stumble, gold-dusted and drowsy, from flower to flower.
Nature offers a different kind of bloom near the driveway, where stone meets warming earth. A visiting friend discovers it—a tangle of half a dozen garter snakes. Their tan and brown-striped bodies weave and unweave like a kinetic, alien flower blooming on the greening grass. This is what is known as a “breeding ball.” Months from now, the female will give birth when the forest becomes green and shady again.
Why does the mind recoil from these scaled dancers while loving the blooms beside them? Both answer spring’s call. Both carry forward life’s ancient song. Both are beautiful.
Look clearly at this world. See how each creature, each bloom, each stone, each moment radiates its own perfect light. When we clear our vision of judgment—of the mind’s constant sorting into beautiful and ugly, acceptable and disgusting—every form reveals itself as wonder. The universe tumbles forward in endless renewal, and we flow with it, surrounded by miracles dressed as ordinary things: a purple crocus, a breeding snake, a warming breeze.
Gratitude opens the eyes to the wonder of what is. Make peace with the universe. Take part in its tumbling joy.
Each moment holds heaven, if we have eyes to see it—all things quivering with the inexpressible perfection of a flower.
2 Responses
What an incredibly gifted writer you are! Your reflections are such a beautiful gift each day.
I’m still not sold on appreciating snakes but recognize your solid point!