Choosing Beauty

 

  

This is the Aeriosa Tree Dancers, who performed their amazing dance routines high in the old growth trees at North Chesterman Beach here in Tofino this past week. It was magical; it lifted our hearts, reminding us of the beauty we are all surrounded by, no matter where we live in the world. Everywhere, we are surrounded by trees, birds, flowers, lakes, sandy ocean shores, and mountain meadows.  Beauty everywhere, heaped up and running over. There's a Sky Show going on every minute. We just need to look up.

These nimble dancers went up and down the ropes (suspended by using a slingshot to shoot the ropes over the upper boughs, then secure them) like forest sprites. It is so awesome to know that in this noisy world, where we hear so much that's negative, there are people everywhere doing good things: planting trees, creating art, walking for peace. Choosing beauty.

I wanted to share this glimpse of tree magic with you. Our prompt is wide open: Just look around, find something beautiful, and tell us about it. Trees, dancers, art, creativity, anything that puts something good and positive out into the world. We are all dancers on the earth, all singers of a universal song.

For inspiration:

WHEN I AM AMONG THE TREES
by Mary Oliver

When I am among the trees, especially the willows and the honey locust, equally the beech, the oaks and the pines, they give off such hints of gladness. I would almost say that they save me, and daily.

I am so distant from the hope of myself, in which I have goodness, and discernment, and never hurry through the world but walk slowly, and bow often.

Around me the trees stir in their leaves and call out, “Stay awhile.” The light flows from their branches.

And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say, “and you too have come into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled with light, and to shine.”

EARTH YOUR DANCING PLACE
by May Swenson

Beneath heaven’s vault
remember always walking
through halls of cloud
down aisles of sunlight
or through high hedges
of the green rain
walk in the world
highheeled with swirl of cape
hand at the swordhilt
of your pride
Keep a tall throat
Remain aghast at life

Enter each day
as upon a stage
lighted and waiting
for your step
Crave upward as flame
have keenness in the nostril
Give your eyes
to agony or rapture

Train your hands
as birds to be
brooding or nimble
Move your body
as the horses
sweeping on slender hooves
over crag and prairie
with fleeing manes
and aloofness of their limbs

Take earth for your own large room
and the floor of the earth
carpeted with sunlight
and hung round with silver wind
for your dancing place

The linky closes at 8 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday. We're looking forward to your poems.