The Photographer and His Muse

Not intended for commercial purposes or use.

Not intended for commercial purposes or use.

Not intended for commercial purposes or use.

When I Met My Muse

I glanced at her and took my glasses

off—they were still singing. They buzzed

like a locust on the coffee table and then

ceased. Her voice belled forth, and the

sunlight bent. I felt the ceiling arch, and

knew that nails up there took a new grip

on whatever they touched. "I am your own

way of looking at things," she said. "When

you allow me to live with you, every

glance at the world around you will be

a sort of salvation." And I took her hand.

~ William Stafford

The Touch of Spring

I heard a thousand blended notes,

While in a grove I sate reclined,

In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts

Bring sad thoughts to the mind.

To her fair works did Nature link

The human soul that through me ran;

And much it grieved my heart to think

What man has made of man.

Through primrose tufts, in that green bower,

The periwinkle trailed its wreaths;

And 'tis my faith that every flower

Enjoys the air it breathes.

The birds around me hopped and played,

Their thoughts I cannot measure;

But the least motion which they made

It seemed a thrill of pleasure.

The budding twigs spread out their fan,

To catch the breezy air;

And I must think, do all I can,

That there was pleasure there.

If this belief from heaven be sent,

If such be Nature's holy plan,

Have I not reason to lament

What man has made of man?

~ Lines Written In Early Spring by William Wordsworth

Cocka-Doodle-Doo!

The Rooster is one of the twelve signs of the Chinese Zodiac, symbolizing courage and readiness to fight.

Roosters are considered sacred in Japan, roaming free amongst the Shinto temples, calling followers to prayer at dawn.

Ancient Greeks believed the Rooster's crow each morning symbolized victory of light over darkness.

During the Middle Ages, the Rooster was introduced as a popular Christian motif for weather vanes, symbolizing watchfulness for the return of Christ, resurrection of the dead, and the final judgment of humankind.

According to seafaring tradition, a rooster tattooed on one ankle and a pig on the other, kept a sailor safe from drowning.

Check out bird photos by other bloggers at World Bird Wednesday hosted by Pine River Review.

Sidewalk Saguaros

Walking

Walks: The body advances, while the mind flutters around it like a bird. ~ Jules Renard

Every walk is a sort of crusade, preached by some Peter the Hermit in us. ~ Henry Thoreau

Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you. ~ John Ruskin