Following the beautiful path of water
Yesterday’s invitation to enter the mystery of the water path was stimulated in part by the song Oceans.
The idea of stepping out on the water is both ludicrous and awesome. And it takes us to places we wouldn’t otherwise go.
Today it’s the turn of the poet, Rainer Maria Rilke, to offer an invitation. Here is his beautiful description of Rome over 100 years ago:
Endlessly, vigorously, water streams through the ancient aqueducts into the great city. In the many piazzas, it dances over white bowls of stone and spreads out in broad basins, rushing by day and through the night that is vast and glittering with stars and windblown spray. And there are gardens here, unforgettable promenades, and stairways conceived by Michelangelo, stairways modelled on flowing water, broadly descending, wave upon wave. Moving through the chattering crowd, one can sense the eternal residing in things.
+ Rainer Maria Rilke, excerpt from Letter Five, from Letters to a Young Poet, translated by Anita Barrows and Joanna Macy, Shambhala Publications 2021
Yes, being in the presence of flowing water touches something deep inside.
Yes, water is incredible! Thanks for reminding us to be more aware of nature around us (and in us). But, as beautiful, relaxing, and awesome water is, it can also be a curse. Isn't it amazing how beautiful oceans, lakes, rivers, and streams can be...but how destructive they can be in a flood? I guess this also makes us think about how poorly we manage our magnificent water resources.
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2 年We came from water - it's no surprise to me that it's still with us Sue Heatherington
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2 年Running water reminds of of our own flow, even if it's buried deep, deep inside.