NOW and AGAIN the earth begins to desire rest. And in the weeks of autumn especially it shows its disposition to calm, to what feels like a stasis, a pause. The ocean retains its warmth, while high white cloud-boats ride out of the west. Now the birds of the woods are often quiet, but on the shore, the migrating sanderlings and plovers are many and vocal, rafts of terns with the year’s young among them come with the incoming tides, and plunge into the waves, and rise with silver leaves in their beaks. One can almost see the pulsing of their hearts, vigorous and tiny in the trim of white feathers. Where I live, on the harbor edge of the Cape’s last town, perfect strangers walking along the beach turn and say to each other, without embarrassment or hesitation: isn’t it beautiful.
~ Mary Oliver, Where I Live from Long Life: Essays and Other Writings
Notes:
- Photo: Sanderlings via Fairy-Wren
- Related Posts: Mary Oliver

Yes. Yes it is..
It really is…. So happy to share these moments with you too!
Definitely WMS.
And another shout out for WMS! 🙂
beauty and wonder crosses all lines.
Beautiful photo and Poetry j’adore !
They are! Thank you and thanks for sharing.
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“Isn’t it beautiful?” YES – YES – YES! I love autumn this year as I can’t seem to slow anything else down. I even look forward to watching the snow fall gently down to shroud out the rest! Beautiful post as always, David.
Agree Stacey. Thank you.
I so agree. And see this every day here at this time. Isn’t it beautiful.
I am so very ready for fall, for autumn, and yet Mother Nature tricks us here a bit. The temps here hang on to summer…September in CA has an identity crisis it seems. October can’t arrive soon enough!
Yep, you certainly have issues out there Bonnie. Let’s pray for rain, and more rain.
Amen my friend, Amen!