Lifting off into Flight
I am deeply touched by the affirmation of possibility and rebirth this poem expresses through the imagery of the heavy-bodied heron lifting off into flight.
Heron Rises From The Dark, Summer Pond
So heavy
is the long-necked, long-bodied heron,
always it is a surprise
when her smoke-colored wings
open
and she turns
from the thick water,
from the black sticks
of the summer pond,
and slowly
rises into the air
and is gone.
Then, not for the first or the last time,
I take the deep breath
of happiness, and I think
how unlikely it is
that death is a hole in the ground,
how improbable
that ascension is not possible,
though everything seems so inert, so nailed
back into itself--
the muskrat and his lumpy lodge,
the turtle,
the fallen gate.
And especially it is wonderful
that the summers are long
and the ponds so dark and so many,
and therefore it isn't a miracle
but the common thing,
this decision,
this trailing of the long legs in the water,
this opening up of the heavy body
into a new life: see how the sudden
gray-blue sheets of her wings
strive toward the wind; see how the clasp of nothing
takes her in.
- Mary Oliver (1935 - )
Lift off into your own flight! Please accept my invitation to stop by Wings 4 You Coaching and participate in my Weekly Wings challenges. I'd love to have you along on the journey!
Lovely, loose rendering and Mary Oliver's words are perfect. I have been surprised by a heron lifting off while out walking and in my own backyard (he would sit in the trees, observing my neighbour's fish pond) on many occasions and it's quite dramatic.
Now that I'm finally re-connected properly to the on-line world (as of last night) I see you have another venture in the works. Must go visit now...
Posted by: Andrea | March 16, 2008 at 12:09 PM
this is magical. you are truly an srtist, whereas most of us just play around.i looked at your weekly wings challenge and would really like to join in, but am not sure...can i start from now as i have missed some? could you possibly e mail me at: jossross@yahoo.com to explain more, i am intrigued andalso feel out of sorts and not at ease with myself right now, so searching for something, not even sure what!
Posted by: forever young | March 16, 2008 at 12:17 PM
This is perfection. Your art with the poem are amazing, and exactly how I wanted to spend my Sunday morning.
Thank you,
a.
Posted by: andrea | March 16, 2008 at 12:18 PM
something new from you. I like the texture; I want to pet it. :)
Posted by: AscenderRisesAbove | March 16, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Wow, words don't quite do this page justice Carla. WOW!!!
Posted by: steve | March 16, 2008 at 12:22 PM
ooh love that texture!
Posted by: johanna | March 16, 2008 at 12:52 PM
Awesome! Reminds me on the birds coming back from their winter home. Smiles, Anke ;)
Posted by: Anke | March 16, 2008 at 02:03 PM
Carla, thank you so much for the invitation. I've added Weekly Wings to my bloglines. Yay!
p.s. This painting is beautiful!
Posted by: Sare-Bear | March 16, 2008 at 03:46 PM
Beautiful. Magical. And such lovely rich colours!! Inspiring work.
Posted by: June | March 16, 2008 at 05:12 PM
Carla, this is gorgeous,along with the beautiful poem. Your work is as always lovely.
Posted by: jo | March 16, 2008 at 06:12 PM
herons are such wonderful birds, Carla.. when i see one flying over my bedroom window, early in the morning, that makes my day..... :-)
Posted by: vfm4 | March 16, 2008 at 07:23 PM
your art is such a perfect compliment to the words you post... as always, thank you for sharing!
Posted by: melanie | March 16, 2008 at 11:33 PM
Down in a hole of my own, I think, until reading the poem. I have ascended ... thanks, Carla! :)
Posted by: Mick Mather | March 17, 2008 at 08:06 AM
Carla...
BEAUTIFUL....WONDERFUL...
INSPIRING!
Posted by: patricia | March 17, 2008 at 08:47 AM
Your blog is a balm.
Posted by: Ellen Byrne | March 17, 2008 at 09:49 AM
Thanks Carla for your lovely comment on my blog :) Your art is absolutely beautiful, I'm definately going to visit you again!
Posted by: Jess | March 17, 2008 at 09:51 AM
it's always such a joy to come here. The words of Mary Oliver are lovely and inspiring, as are you! I loved your Mr. Rodgers comment ;)
Posted by: studio lolo | March 17, 2008 at 03:16 PM
I am almost at a loss for words (and that RARELY happens!).... wow!! So beautiful!
Posted by: carra | March 17, 2008 at 04:12 PM
This is so beautiful...wish I could think of something more original to say, but that's what it is!
Posted by: senta | March 17, 2008 at 04:22 PM
This is just beautiful...in so many ways.
Posted by: Deb G | March 17, 2008 at 11:16 PM
Carla, that is really beautiful. Your posts are always so inspirational!
Posted by: Cindy DiBlasi | March 17, 2008 at 11:26 PM
How very beautiful this is... almost as poetic as the verse. Thanks for you comment on my blog - humour plays such an important part in my life!! ;o)
Posted by: Rosie | March 18, 2008 at 05:51 AM
You left me speechless with this piece. I was so taken with how beautiful you illustrated the poem.
Posted by: Morning Artist | March 18, 2008 at 11:38 AM
I love this, so peacful, but yet great colours.
Posted by: lee | March 18, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Beautiful! I'm flying now. :-)
Posted by: willie | March 18, 2008 at 05:34 PM