… here is the deepest secret nobody knows
(here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud
and the sky of the sky of a tree called life;
which grows higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide)
and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart
i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart).
~ ee cummings
The world has many secrets. Some are ancient but new ones are made (and revealed) daily. This one is probably the most wonderful. It’s what allows people to go on and remain connected to one another, despite the suffering brought on by separation, either through death or some other circumstance.
Someone might read Cumming’s poem and think of romantic love, another the love between a parent or grandparent and a child, the love between siblings or friends or the love of God. Regardless of how many hearts we hold within our hearts, somehow, they are always large enough to hold these all in. And that, in itself, is a wonder.
This morning’s clear November sky allowed me to find these images: the root in an upturned tree (the negative image is shown), the bud in one of next year’s frosted Rhododendron buds, and a spruce tree at sunrise along the salt marsh trail. Birch and maple leaves provided the background for the shape of the heart within a heart.
Flandrum Hill 
Photos, poem, thoughts
ripple meaning, parallel
and through each other
Thank you for this beautiful post.
And thank you for such a beautiful comment Yousei 🙂
lovely
Thank you Bluestare 🙂
Beautiful images of Nature to illustrate this poem, thanks for this real nice moment.
You’re welcome isathreadsoflife. Nice to see you back.
Very beautiful. I find myself wondering, did you take the photos first and then choose the poem, or were you inspired by the poem to take the photos?
“higher than the soul can hope or mind can hide”
Lovely pairing.
Bella, the poem came first. I first read it years ago and then stumbled across it again earlier this week. It’s been going through my mind ever since, so I set out today with the intent of acquiring photos to illustrate it.
beauty abounding
nature dances cumming’s words
your net catches all…
SO LOVELY! Yousei sent me here. So happy! Thank You and Cheers and Namaste. 🙂
Thank you for your remarkable remarks blissbait 🙂 🙂
Ah, Ms. Goldsworthy, you’ve been at it again, and to very good effect.
🙂
I loved it, Amy!
I took a “spruce to sky” photo yesterday (in one of the few moments of sun), on what would have been my father’s 95th birthday. I included it (along with a blue sky-whitish cloud shot), into a group of images taken over the 10 years he was in my daughter’s life – reminding her of their wonderful relationship, which “ended” when he died almost 20 years ago.
So, maybe that’s why your post is particularly special, but I think it would always be special.
Best to all — Em
Em, there’s something about ‘spruce to sky’ images that says more than just tree with blue background doesn’t it?
Because grandparents and grandchildren are separated by so many years, they inevitably have to live in one another’s hearts for a longer time than other relationships. What a creative way to remember your dad’s birthday and share that memory with your daughter.
You make me feel like sometimes I have blinkers on and need to look … really look at things I’m passing by …
Sybil, don’t look too long at those things you’re passing by while driving or you’re bound to hit a porcupine!
There is indeed so much to see that’s so beautiful and easily overlooked.
Wow! Thank you, Amy…for once again, reminding me to look about.
You’re welcome Cindy. It’s all around us 🙂
I carry your heart~~
the deepest secret
is perhaps
that we carry Life in our heart
and it perhaps is
our heart,
no difference, no separation
as you’ve so beautifully
shown us.
Thanks for adding your thoughts Kathy. There is such a mystery and wonder in our ability to hold onto one another in this way.
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