Women are repeatedly accused of taking things personally. I cannot see any other honest way of taking them.

—Marya Mannes, American Writer

 

“Come to the cliff,

he said.

They said, we are afraid.

Come to the cliff, he said

They came.

He pushed them,

And they flew.

—old French poem

 

I am sitting at my desk in front of my bedroom windows. Everywhere I look is mountains, river and trees. The night creatures are singing to me their oft-repeated song. The sun is gloriously sliding down behind the mountains and twilight descends. I see no stars or moon yet, but they are there. I hear traffic far off in the distance, the collision of two worlds. In this present moment, I could not ask for more.

 

 

                            Two of my grandchildren having

                             the last romp in the waves for the day.

                             Photograph and copyright by Barbara Mattio 2013

 

 

Hidden Treasure

 

I came to plant some seeds

I came to plant a tree

I came with a treasure buried deep

in the depths of me.

 

I came like land to land

I came like sea to sea

the mysteries of earth

and the secrets of dreams

deep in the depths of me.

 

Who shall witness time’s flowers

pluck fruit

from the fruit-giving tree

and who be crowned with

the diadem found, deep

in the depths of me.

—David Sparenberg

     Mountain twilight. Photograph and copyright by Barbara Mattio 2010