Sunday, December 14, 2014

How nature sings its preparation

I got a new body for my broken camera recently. For nearly a year, I've been without this extra eye, and I've felt its absence.

Maybe you're like me. When words hide underground amidst a churning of thoughts, I seek expression in pictures. Let them do the talking, my heart insists. I am not ready to speak.

So, as has been my pull this Advent season, I head outdoors, with eyes scanning for signs of the world preparing her earthen house for the coming Christ. For how can I put this to words, but that my ears have grown a tad weary and wary of so many human voices speaking on behalf of Christ? So I step out where the voices sing soft, so soft I need to silence mine to listen, and when I do, I hear their strength wrapped in subtlety of poetry. Unfinished, colorful, mysterious, laced with hope, they speak.

For those who have ears to hear, eyes to see.

How they prepare the way.


 Clinging to the branch, dying
that slow fade of death that precedes 
life,
yes - but still 
alive, blood red.

 Waiting,
watching,
for glad tidings,
great joy,
quiver of hope from the heavens,
 for the light holding
fast in the sullen skies,

the light,
the food,
the drink,
hanging from the tree.

 The rising Morning Star,
obscured;
the skeleton trees clapping
their hands;
 the flocks of the forest
piercing the skies
with song;

 the wizened trees bowed low.

Wings lifted to the wind,
 they perch,
they wait.
For Love that came 
once, as a tiny seed.

And then a forest,
ever spreading.

Instinctively, they know
Love will come again.



Linking up with Unforced Rhythms, hosted this month at Beth's blog, newly renamed Trading Good for Grace.

And linking a late Five-minute Friday, to the prompt of "Prepare."

For more Advent reflections, click here - and here.

9 comments:

  1. Your photos speak words as lovely as your written ones.

    Let Heaven AND nature sing!

    GOD BLESS!

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    1. Yes... I love that - "let heaven and nature sing." Thank you, Sharon.

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  2. Amber,

    Your photos and poem speak to me...This line especially resonated: " that slow fade of death that precedes
    life".....this is where I am right now. Thank you! And a blessed Christmas to you :)

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    1. Dolly, I'm so grateful something in this resonated with you. Thanks for saying so. Merry Christmas to you :-)

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  3. Far, far too often we walk around without an "extra eye" ... It's always amazing to me what I start to see when I open it to the world. As usual, you capture it so beautifully. Can't wait to see what else this new lens brings to your attention.

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    1. It's true - and these "extra eyes" can take so many shapes, can't they? A camera is just one way I've come to appreciate slowing down and seeing the world differently. More intentionally. Thank you for being here, friend.

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  4. Stupendous! Absolutely stunning. Thank you for sharing with us.

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  5. Visiting from FMF! I'm a bit late to the game. The pictures are amazing! You've got natural talent. Thank you for sharing God's amazing creation. God bless and Merry Christmas. Blessings, Carrie http://unspeakablejoymovement.blogspot.com

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