seasons

A Field Guide to Sheree – Day 2

| Sheree

Commonly known as Sheree, with the scientific name being Nigtum Deam, found mostly within coastal areas, regularly at sea.

She is able to listen with attention and sometimes offers unwarranted advise. Her heart is in the right place.

She thrives in green humid spaces, on mountain sides in solitude, often retreating to Scottish glens to laugh at the moon.

She starts to pale and fade in monotonous, negative climates where light is limited and restricted.

She can be lured by white chocolate lattes and any variety of breads. At which point, she will shift into the pleasure zone, all petals opening to receive joys with a smile.

Try to praise this chaotic world – Day 1

| Sheree

after Adam Zagajewski, translated by Clare Cavanagh

Try to praise this chaotic world,
as the first of April dawns fresh,
with welcome light, and slight breeze of delight.
The blossom is waiting to bloom
as the fruit trees inch towards the sky.
You must praise this chaotic world.
You must keep hope when things go awry
while those few, usually white and male,
act like stewards for all humankind, communities
they have very little contact with
let alone care about.
You should praise the chaotic world.
Remember you are not alone, within you
are generations of people who have been here before.
Who did not moan or falter but protested.
They survived so we could thrive
in companionship with the trees,
seas, hummingbirds and ferns.
Praise the chaotic world
and the chance to emerge
as Spring light has returned
after when we think that all was lost.

Time to Rest

| Sheree

How do you relax?

This week has been busy. Schools are back and the summer is just hard to shake off, even if I wanted to

Tired has been the word of the week. So tired. Thank God it’s Friday and time to relax.

I know I’ve earned it. So what do I do? I get into the sea. She has the power to excite and relax me both at the same time. I’m washed clean after a quick dip in the North Sea, taking a moment to express my gratitude for this blessing.

Living by the sea never gets old, never gets boring as she is never the same sea twice. Seas would be a more accurate word to describe her.

The Dregs of Summer

| Sheree

This summer has been the summer of hydrangeas. Everywhere I’ve been this summer, on my travels and just walking the neighbourhood, I’ve been met by these blooming bountiful heads of colour. Big bushes bursting with these delicate four petal bunched-headed flowers. And every time my heart has sung at the sight of them

And as the summer comes to a close, with the changes in temperature and of light, these flowers will start to turn brown and in this flitting beauty of autumn, they will still make my heart sing as in their beautiful fragile death there will be rebirth.