Spring has Sprung
Wandering alone in the early hours of a spring morning the air is fresh and cool.
Wild flowers peek from between the roots of trees to greet me, fresh dew sparkles in the sunlight and the sound of a gently flowing river caresses my ears. Strolling along without a care, before the bustling world of mankind begins to awake, I sense my whole being effortlessly harmonising with all that surrounds me. Drifting, exploring hidden paths, watching the river flow smoothly downstream, the feeling of a rough track beneath my feet combine to create an agreeable atmosphere of stillness. Evanescent; in the calm of the morning, a fleeting glimpse of the enduring cycle of life that continues unaided, beyond the dusty
human world.
Pausing for a little while in the top wood, I let the quiet noises of nature float into my conscious. Soon I become aware of the movement of a tree’s branches swaying gently above me, my hearing becomes filled with the ever present singing of birds, and my eyes discern the movements of even the smallest insects, as they scurry along the woodland floor in front of me. And then, amongst all of these murmurings, do I not also hear the natural quietness that lies deep inside myself? Like a weary wanderer who has finally found a place to rest, within these surroundings, amidst this beauty, in the early hours of a spring morning, I
find the tranquillity of peace.
“From where does spring come ?” I ask
the plum flowers do not reply
but in their midst
a warbler sings.
Teishin
Tr. Ryuichi Abe
Some lovely photos from a variety of people including Aileen Milne and Claire Torrance ... thanks.
