“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature -- the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”
[Rachel Carson, Silent Spring]
feast [Myrciaria cauliflora] II
the rains came to contradict the season
the rains came to contradict the season
droplets united forming torrents
fervent yet fleeting
I woke at dawn and barefoot
stepped into a flood
and drowned
in the scent so profound, yet elusive - familiar?
squelching through wet mulch, searching
i pressed my face through the still damp foliage of the
jaboticaba
delighted to once again find
the delicate white flowers
decorating each skeletal branch
opened with such abundance and haste
before this moist present passed;
hard lime berries
already taking form
alerting me to the feast that would soon be at hand
days later
the berries are shiny purple aglow
tight skins bursting with sweet white flesh
we gather together to harvest the riches
raining down upon us
we are many and varied, in age, experience and taste
we are many yet united, in our mutual awe and delight
all are children, here
in the shadows of this magnificent tree
hands over-filled, mouths chewing wildly
friar birds, fig birds, orioles, all are delighting
in the chance to join the jaboticaba feast
“Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth.”
[Henry David Thoreau, Walden]
“The earth has music for those who listen.”
[George Santayana]
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