Saturday, January 26, 2008

Wishing in the Dead of Winter

Ever really look at a grape hyacinth? It's a wish. It's a wonder. It's a full-color happening.

After a cold, cold, gray, gray winter, a few breaths past the first crocus, you might see one -- tiny thing. I used to wish them larger. I'd think of them as almost tiny trees. I wanted to stand under a grape hyacinth and look up into it the way I did other trees.

Such tiny things, I walk past without noticing their splendor. Where else do I see such vibrant blue, lush and full with life? When else does such a lovely gift come at such a perfect time?

So lacy and delicate. So full like the grapes their named after. So like an umbrella that became a delight. So blue that they overtake my imagination.

How could I possibly walk right by?

I'm wishing in the dead of winter for grape hyacinths.

I might never be able to look up from under one.

This spring I might give it a try anyway.

--me liz strauss, letting me be

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

beautiful little flowers. I've always been partial to them too. Spring is coming, winter always has its end as all things must and I know you will find a way to look up from beneath grape hyacinths.

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hi Easy!
The first time I saw a picture of them, I thought they were much larger. I was amazed to see how tiny they are.

Now my biggest problem is to remember to look for them before they're gone!

If I do, I'll be looking up for sure! :)

Anonymous said...

I enjoy yoru descriptive writing. We each shape our own perception, choosing to notice or overlook certain details in our lives. I like how we evolve to notice the changing of the weather seasons and the inner transformation we all move toward at our own pace.

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hi Liara!
One of the best parts of being a writer is how it makes me look and think about what I see. :)

Thank you. I hope you'll hang out for some conversation. :)

Anonymous said...

Hi Liz I left you an award to pick up at my blog. You can put it on this one or on SOB if you want to. :o)

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Oh Wow!
Thank you, Easy!
Some days the universe and our friends provide just what we need. :)

Trée said...

Liz, I do love the way your mind works. There are days I wish I could see with your heart and listen with your ears and know the world in the way that you know it. You are a gift my dear friend. Hugs and blessing to you.

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Trée!
Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I so need smiling faces like you eating cookies and tea by the fire. :)

Dr.John said...

You have a great way of looking at the world.

"ME" Liz Strauss said...

Hey Dr. John,
Maybe that it's just that I look. :)

Looking is something I sometimes forget. How about you?

Anonymous said...

Isolation Emeritus:


I can’t fight this shit anymore

Days come and go like strangers in a bar

Hints of salvation, then the fall

Looks in the mirror become vacant and evil

I breath in, smell death

I dream of lying in a coffin, then floating in mid-air

People begin to resemble animals

Their eyes appear to lock on me

The hair on the back of my neck stands

I feel ready to pounce

I hear people speaking

Their voices sound threatening, vaguely diabolical

Automobile trips become an exercise in memory

I see streets signs go by, 10 miles, 20, 50

I stop, rest, no memory of my thoughts for miles

I hear the sound of my son’s voice on the phone

Sounds far away, alien

Alienated

I become an outpost, distant and unwelcome to all

No one comes here

I am the last stop

Anonymous said...

I am becoming mineral,
neither animal nor vegetable
"not guilty by reason of non-existence".

Frail but powerful
not a contradiction, an evolution

all human emotions morph
events become miracles

There’s going to be a storm
There’s going to be time spent
on CNN

There's going to be trouble