“A morning glory at my window satisfies me more than the metaphysics of books.”
~Walt Whitman
You may have guessed by now that I’m a huge Whitman fan. His words do get featured pretty regularly in the “Quote of the Week” that appears in the sidebar.
But, as much as I adore morning glories (and especially my heirloom Grandpa Ott Morning Glories, which may well have been in existence during Whitman’s lifetime), I’ll have to disagree with the poet on this one.
Of course, it depends on the book, but…
Walt, come on, couldn’t we just have both?
Sure we could.
In fact, I did it this morning, sitting on the porch steps, alternately engrossed in my beautiful book, and then letting that book slide off into my lap as I got to daydreaming, or watching the bees in the mint patch, or wondering if the next ‘Cherokee Purple’ tomato plans to ripen up anytime soon, or holding my breath and sitting ever so still as the male ruby-throated hummingbird came within eight inches of my face, not certain if I was a huge flower or not — but not willing to pass up a source of nectar this promising without checking it out first.
(Hint: When you plan to be still in the garden, wear an orange or pink or scarlet shirt. Sitting in a sunbeam doesn’t hurt your chances for a hummingbird encounter, either. Sometimes, if you are very fortunate, a butterfly will land on your shoulder, too.)
I guess I’m just that kind of person. The kind who wants to have her cake and eat it, too. Shortly after F. and I first met, he accused me of being greedy — but not for money. The very idea made me laugh — and then laugh some more when I realized how true it was. I wasn’t used to thinking of the term “greed” apart from the Wall-Street-style connotation, and at first glance it didn’t seem to fit my lifestyle of simple pleasures enjoyed to their fullest.
It is now one of our little jokes, because it’s so true. Yes, I am greedy for all the joy this world has to offer, whether it’s the sun-drenched or the rain-soaked kind — or any of the million possibilities between them… and the transcendent joy of the shimmering rainbow when they meet. I am greedy for friendship, for beauty, for laughter, for wonder, for love, for inspiration, for sweetness and spice, for peace, and for connection — with other beings, with Nature, with the Divine.
I’ll take the magic of books, please – and a stained-glass morning glory with a honeybee feasting in its glowing throat. If it’s not too much to ask.
Wishing you a weekend filled with whatever satisfies you most.
Namasté, y’all.
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