in the folds of a prairie crocus

beauty breather seven

{beauty breather: a photographic pause for rest}

Join me in a guided visual meditation - an invitation into noticing the wilderness within and without while making space for the fullness of our humanity. These beauty breathers are collections of my nature photographs, part of Notes From the Wilderness.

• I am in Western Canada and experience four distinct and rather extreme seasons. This cycle is integral to my experience. I acknowledge this frame of reference may not be familiar to everyone yet I hope you will still be able to enter in and feel welcome.

• You can return to each beauty breather as often as you desire. Notice what is the same and different in how you experience the words and images.

• If you’re wanting to slow down but find yourself rushing through, try setting a timer (I really love the Insight Timer app.) Go at whatever pace work for you.

• Meet yourself with kindness and gentleness. Let curiosity lead.

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Today’s beauty breather centres around the prairie crocus, the images inserted among a poem written with her as my muse. Let the poem draw you into each photograph, and see what emerges for you. Thank you, as always, for being here.

inhale

exhale

I found delight

in the folds of a prairie crocus.

I searched for her

pale purple sepals

the first to emerge

in the mess of winter’s aftermath.

I pursue her

eager for the sign

it is time to open

time to be seen.

She grows where the ground lies

exposed and windblown

as if to audaciously claim

I will bloom right here.

The hue of her beauty

a hymn of renewal

her woolen face unafraid

of its softness.

Do not dare to name

her vulnerability delicate

she has chosen

to be the herald.

Coaxing a garden

out of the sleepy earth

into burgeoning abundance

as her flower fades.

inhale

exhale

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