Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Wednesday Wish (31)


An apple is a very different fruit with your ear against the ground. When the grass is moist with summertime dew, when your feet are bare and tickled, when the weighted tree invites your eyes and the sun invites them closed. When your body finds its niche and your heart slows its tune…the apple…falls. Onto the earth. You listen. And smile. You see. Anew.

The orchard has eight trees—six, in tidy little lines, with two oddball stragglers lingering along the edge. Like you, they are different and happy in their own little worlds…one a wild apple, the other a purple plum, and you, you smile with your eyes closed, your head against the ground.

You hear the bees visit with each other as they jolly hunt for nectar. You know when they're communing with a flower, for their hearts slow. They find their peace in connection. And you notice that when their hearts slow…yours does too.

You hear the thumping rise up from the earth like a bass within your soul. But you don’t open your eyes. No. You wait. It moves closer. You are not afraid. The sun warms your face, your heart softens your fears. It’s your orchard. You see it, as much as it sees you. And just as you breathe into that thought—the cow—he swooshes a bee with his tail. You hear both—the tail as it whips the air and the bee and he hurls through space. And then, the slow and sloppy chewing of a successful cow, his teeth more green and goopy than if you used your eyes.

But before you leave, your belly longs for more. Just one last treat. A ripe and juicy plum. But not chosen with your eyes. With another sense...

First, with your ears you hear the dancing of the leaves, the way the aged arms reach out and into the sun, the silent hum of life coursing like blood through its wooden, ailing veins. Then, with your nose you breathe in the smell of ripe, the delight of purple, the unexpected invitation to be plucked. And suddenly from within, like a gift from your soul and yet arriving from without, appears a smile...

photo courtesy of: www.tree-pictures.com/plum_tree_photos.html

...from your heart.
So you know
that this moment,
this choice,
this plum,
is right and good and…
meant for you.


*          *          *
My Wednesday Wish for You?

Close your eyes to let your heart give you sight. To see with other senses creates a whole new world, one that has more depth, more meaning and more soul. Make decisions with your alternate senses this week and watch your world change. Then read The Art of Hearing Heartbeats by Jan-Philipp Sendker and watch your world change even more.

12 comments:

Chronicles of Illusions said...

there is no one else that can make me reach plateaus previously undiscovered...or some forgotten as you do Brynne...no one

Brynne said...

And Jo...there is no one else that gives me the heart and soul smiles that you do, my dear. Thank you for being such a beautiful part of my life, dear Jo.

RoughWaterJohn said...

I love the smell of life, growing in the hot sun. I love basking in the same warm glow that brings fruit to bear and buds to bloom, I bloom as well under that warm giving sun. I also blossom and flourish when I read your thoughts, and the words that give a hint of them. You glow brightly in my life.

Brynne said...

A visit to my childhood orchard with my sweet friend John...gives me a happy twirl. Like you, I love the heat. I used to long for it all year and beg myself to move when I grew up, to find a place where I could bask in my sun all year long. Did you dream that too? Or did you grow up with the gift of year round sun? And John...? Thank you for letting me visit your heart. A soft smile just bubbled up from my heart.

RoughWaterJohn said...

I grew up amidst warm sun and bright days of youth, regardless the progression of years. I spent a few years in the cold and snow, before coming home to my young heart and the warmth of hot days. My soul is solar powered, and needs the sun and it's warming rays to fill my needs. My heart is an open book, with worn and well thumbed pages for you and Jo. Many chapters still to go, and I'm looking forward to the parts you two pen.

Brynne said...

I think its fair to say that both Jo and I look forward to everything you write, dear fellow pea in our pod:)

Bella said...

Brynne, in the past I've done many exercises where I've tuned out my other senses in part so I an rely on just one. I learned to do this when I was a preschool teacher and had special education students. It was an eye opening experience even when I wasn't using my sight! Reading this post reminded me of those times and now I want to do it again! Hugs for you sweet lady! :)

Brynne said...

What a great idea, Bella:) I bet you were such FUN as a preschool teacher! I am sure you were. You know...you might really like the book I listed above. Its a lovely story...and one of the main characters has some sensory issues. It was first written in German so I am sure you can find it over there.

Always happy to connect with you, dear Bella! Happy week, sweet friend:)

kario said...

This is so lovely! As I sit here and the incessant rain pours, I long to transport myself to that orchard and pick one of those exquisite Italian plums in the photo. Thank you for giving me a chance to be somewhere else for a bit.

Brynne said...

I'm so glad you came to visit the orchard with me:) Thank you, Kario, for the smile that only you could give me:)

Marcia said...

Beautiful writing, use of language and imagery - all very calming, I enjoyed it.

Brynne said...

thank you, Marcia. I am soo happy my word's emotion came thru as calming. Your words are a gift to me.:)