nature

anxiety’s blindness

…

Every day my anxiety grew deeper,

until it enveloped me so thickly

that I could see nothing.

Alone in an illimitable desert

I wept hopelessly, as if in a nightmare in dawn

where the open mouth blue sky wept with me.

…

~Nakamura Chio*

beauty

my gift to you today…awakening seeds of calmness… right diligence

*cited:

Women Poets of Japan

K Rexroth &  I Atsumi

Grazing

There is a peaceful community

in a place of burned up hopes,

whiteblossombeside the tracks of dreams 

that drifted away

on the edge of a village

where crowds pass by.

There, men gather in harmony

to gaze like sheep and fawns.

On all the beautiful flowers

a sun comes and goes

through the clouds in freedom.

~Mitsui Futabako*

*cited:

Women Poets of Japan

K Rexroth & I Atsumi

A photo reflection of 2016

At this time last year my photography was put aside due to eye surgery.  This was followed by the discontent that overwhelmed me during January’s freezing snow storms, unrelenting winds, and gray-toned skies.  In April it was grief that eventually moved me to pick up my camera as a way to visually honor my mother’s life.  Reviewing the images created in 2016 brings forth gratitude as photography motivates me to move outside of myself and to see the world anew.   Thank each and everyone of you for being a part of my blog journey. May 2017 be defined by your continued awe-inspiring creative works.