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Because of some beautiful experiences with bluebirds (especially this one I posted about), I have paid close attention to them. Being blue, they also represent the throat chakra, the energy devoted to communication. Their quiet nature and melodic song resonate with my own inner call. I found the card in the photo above at the bookstore yesterday on my outing with Inge and knew I just had to have it. It's a Mountain Bluebird. The second photo, below, is an Eastern Bluebird. The third is a porcelain my sister Nancy gave me; he sits on my dressing table near a candle I light every morning. Do you feel a strong affinity for a certain animal? Here's a little poem about mine, with some first words of Rilke's.
Bluebird
What I lay claim to
is like anything
unpossessed
by anyone
yet on I go holding
the ache of blue
he empties in scalloping arcs around
the stubbled meadow
blue eye
in the eyelids of branches
witnessed
just a few times a year
cheer of song
the animal voice
I decided was mine one weightless day --
-- my spirit guide --
telling the truth
through the branched world
of my throated heart
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Listen to a podcast of this poem here.By the way, I just viewed my blog in Internet Explore on my husband's computer (I don't have IE on my Macbook), and the formatting is in disarray. I wonder if this always happens in my posts. It must be annoying to view, if so. So sorry. I always post and view in Firefox or Safari.
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you make my heart ache . ( in a good way )
ReplyDeleteI never want to stop feeling this ,
this wonder .
thank you for being a place I am transformed and transported.
A wonderful poem! I have a small bisque-like bluebird sitting on a shelf in my bathroom. I am always drawn to anything blue.
ReplyDeletethe spider perhaps as emissary of the Navaho goddess spiderwoman. She has sent me signs over the years.
ReplyDeleteThe truth sung here by your 'throated heart' has a magnetic draw. Love, love that first photograph, Ruth.
ReplyDeleteLovely, Ruth. and your poem is just wonderful! I went to your other bluebird post, "Opening the Door to Happiness," and loved that as well.
ReplyDeleteWith respect to synchronicities, a subject we have often talked about, you may be interested in knowing that I, too, have this deep attachment to bluebirds. I have made an effort to attract them to my yard, and they are here in abundance thoughout the year, even in winter. If you get a chance, check out my two bluebird postings this year, "Nothing But Bluebirds" (May 17) and "Nothing But Bluebirds: The Sequel" (May 28). I think I posted these articles and photos before we started following one another's blogs.
Have a wonderful holiday!
Well, I posted a good comment but I don't think it took. I feel a little silly posting it twice, but here is the gist of the first one. I love your Christmas card and I thought I remembered the old post you referred to, but I guess that was a Blue Junco? I loved the phrase "blue eye in the eyelids of branches." I also said that friendships are based on shared experiences over time and getting to know special things about someone that not everyone knows. I think that makes us pretty good friends.
ReplyDeleteI often feel nature's creatures are my spiritual guides. Beautiful thoughts and images. I don't think I've ever seen a bluebird at the manor; they're rare in my neck of the woods.
ReplyDeleteDeb, sweet, thank you for feeling as you do, when you come here. It means so very much to me.
ReplyDeleteKenju, thank you!
ReplyDeleteYes blue, and anything bird, for me.
Ellen, when you pay attention to these things, beautiful discoveries about yourself can be found. Imagine, to weave the gossamer of a spier!
ReplyDeleteBonnie, thank you very much. You and I both have a thing for blue today. Your blue Christmas decorations are stunning.
ReplyDeleteGeorge, thank you. I am glad you read the other post, for now we can talk about our bluebird stories. I have noticed (with deep relish and a little envy) your tremendous bluebird photographs over these months since I've followed Transit Notes, as you've re-posted a couple of them since those first May posts, which I just read for the first time. I was fascinated by your thoughts about intruding on their lives as an observer, as I've thought about this a lot too. You saw from my other post how I worried about what coming into the house, and the fear that induced in them, might affect their habits. Indeed, I did not see them again that year.
ReplyDeleteI should talk with you about what you've done to draw more bluebirds. They are so shy here, but maybe we can succeed at that. We rarely see them near the house (let alone in the house . . . )
Thank you, George. I wish you the best time this holiday with your family!
Shari, oh, too bad about the other comment. Well there is also the junco post, which was from last year's Solstice Day. (Both are linked on my sidebar.) We brought the junco indoors ourselves to let him catch his breath after he flew into the window.
ReplyDeleteI think that's wonderful, what you say, that we have shared special things now that we can look back on and realize that yes! we are pretty good friends indeed.
Hi, Tess. I've seen your deep connection with animals often at your blog. Thank you, and I wish you a bluebird visitation in 2011.
ReplyDeleteHi Ruth, loved this. I saw bluebirds in my yard the other day. It always makes me stop.... why is that? I love what you said about "spirit guides".... mine is the blue heron. I know there is a God whenever a blue heron crosses my path, a visitor from another realm.
ReplyDeleteHow cozy that photo is. And what a beautiful poem, I love the branches as eyelids. I have had some amazing visitations from animals Ruth.. 3 days after Pam was killed a coyote came to call...I'll put the story on my blog. Don't forget to watch The Muppets Christmas carol as recommended by Ricky Gervais..I have to find it now!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. We don't have bluebirds over here. Didn't know they represent the throat chakra.
ReplyDeleteo ruth, that is THE most beautiful poem ever...i hope you write a book, i would buy it in a heartbeat..a flickering blue, feathered heartbeat...
ReplyDeletexo
your sister in the meadow,
jean
You are one of the most talented poets of can think of at ANY given moment of time Ruthi.
ReplyDeleteThis one is good and if he were around Burroughs might say "the porcelain one's eyes are steely"
You are so gifted. This blog makes me smile. A lot.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
'There'll be blue birds over
ReplyDeleteThe white cliffs of Dover,
Tomorrow, just you wait and see.'
Lovely poem, Ruth. Like that 'ache of blue'.
Everyone, by the way, I just viewed my blog in Internet Explore on my husband's computer (I don't have IE on my Macbook), and the formatting is in disarray. I wonder if this always happens in my posts. It must be annoying to view, if so. So sorry. I always post and view in Firefox or Safari.
ReplyDeleteI also have an affinity with bluebirds ....the bluebird of happiness is very important to me. xxx
ReplyDeleteBeth, it is wonderful to put more and more energy into learning from and about a special animal. When we can make connections with our own truth, we truly share spirits with animals.
ReplyDeleteJane, thank you.
ReplyDeleteThe coyote's visit must have brought you a strange, wonderful and yet terribly sad connection after Pam's terrible end. I would like to read more about it on your blog.
I have seen a short video clip of Ricky Gervais tucking Elmo into bed, and it was hilarious. I didn't know he made a version of "A Christmas Carol"! I really like him a lot.
Thank you, Helena. I forgot that bluebirds were only in the Americas. A shame. I connect them with the throat chakra, I can't say I've seen anyone else do so.
ReplyDeleteDear Jean, fellow bluebird lover, thank you! One of these days one of us should fly over Lake Michigan and Wisconsin and meet in one meadow or the other, with our bluebirds.
ReplyDeleteToday, as always, Ruth, there is so much birdsong from your "throated heart". That is such a wonderful pairing! Makes today a "weightless day" for me.
ReplyDeleteDusti, that is a tremendous compliment, thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Anonymous. Thank you for your kind words. How great that my blog makes you smile!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Robert. I just listened to the song, in a version by Steeleye Span. It's beautiful. But I didn't know there were bluebirds in England. I hope there are.
ReplyDeleteHello, and welcome, Sarah. I see you recently began following synch-ro-ni-zing, it's great to have you here, especially now, knowing we both have a special concern with the happiness bluebirds bring.
ReplyDeleteHello, Lorenzo, thank you so much. I'm glad this contributes to your weightlessness. It was great to see your post today, with your sweetly haunting etheree.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely poem, enhanced as always, by your podcast. Have you ever posted about how you accomplish this wondrous feat of beauty, this podcasting of your poetry?
ReplyDeleteNo bluebirds in England - purely imaginary in the song. You blog perfectly OK on my computer (IE).
ReplyDeleteDan, thank you. No, I haven't mentioned how I record the podcasts, but thanks for asking. On this Macbook Pro there is an application called Garage Band that makes recording a piece of cake, and the built-in mic is very good. There is also an app called iWeb, and so as soon as I've finished recording, I post it to a ready-made (that I customized) web site for the podcast, which I pay a fee for.
ReplyDeleteOK, Robert, good to know on both counts. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteAs always, your poetry makes my heart sing. I love seeing the many bluebirds on our walking route. It is so interesting how they "lead" us down the road by flying a little ahead of us and then landing on the electric lines, over and over. Alas, we can't attract them to our yard, despite the many houses David has built...too many trees. The Carolina wrens and titmice love them, though.
ReplyDeleteI just got my MacBook Pro as my early Christmas gift. I may need some tutoring in Garage Band. I've always wanted to record the songs I sing to the grandkids, so they will still have them for their children some day when I'm gone.
BTW, your blog has always looked beautiful on my desktop with IE.
ReplyDeleteoh i remember the woodstove drama Ruth
ReplyDeleteSync is looking fine and beautiful on IE-8, Windows 7
poem touched my heart Ruth
I had not yet read your first post on bluebirds...what an amazing experience! No wonder you have a bluebird connection! I adore bluebirds too..and they seem to be making a bit of a comeback in my state. I haven't attracted them to my yard but my cousin's small farm has several nesting couples...I think they like small farms:)
ReplyDeleteWe had a pine siskin caught on our porch just yesterday...fortunately he found his way out with the doors opened for the afternoon...
The animal I have mostly felt connected to is a cat...in any form...sometimes tiger and sometimes tabby...mostly tabby though...always finding the sunniest, coziest spot, always observant yet aloof...
What a sweet and beautiful ode to your spirit guide. I think mine would be in the form of a dog...if I had one.
ReplyDeleteThe first picture gave me pause, I thought it was a real bird for a moment, convinced, even, perched by a candle, I didn't understand why there was a piece of paper, folded like a card behind it. Then, ah! It's a card. Such amazement I find here, Ruth, my eyes, heart, soul are fed.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, and thank you for the feast.
Your bluebird picture with the candle has a very special glow – it is utterly lovely. My husband called me to the window two days ago – there was a bluebird in the back yard. You know people say that French sounds much better, but in truth “bluebird” sounds lovely and “oiseau bleu” not so much…actually I think in French the bird is called “un merle bleu” which is a bit better, but not as melodic as “bluebird.” I am not sure if they come to France – I saw a picture of one, but it is in Quebec – here: http://fr.treknature.com/gallery/North_America/Canada/Central/photo217572.htm
ReplyDeleteRuth, how do you manage it, the synchronicities? I learned about the blue throat chakra just the other night in a yoga class...I hadn't read the first bluebird post, so did that, and I love the expression on his little face, as though you were the "intruder" and not the bird!
ReplyDeleteYour poem is as always, rich and entrancing. I love the "ache of blue"--the throat is so vulnerable, especially when open for song (and what is a poem but a song?). Take good care of it.
As you asked, it is cardinal for bird, yet cats are my familiars. And I've never had any trouble viewing your blog on IE 7...
Such a warm, beautiful post. Actually, a warm and wonderfully cozy blog!
ReplyDeleteWhat a delight - I cannot remember whenI last saw a blue bird! Wonderful pictures too.
ReplyDeleteSusie dear, and I need to hear you sing one day soon. Maybe we can talk on the phone about Garage Band . . . What a treasure trove that would be for your grandchildren and their children, to have your voice singing to them.
ReplyDeleteI love the image of you and David walking led by the troop of bluebirds!
Oh, and good, I'm glad the blog looks fine in IE for you. That's a relief. (Yay for your new Macbook Pro!)
ReplyDeleterauf, the bluebird drama was a strange mix of fear, anxiety and bliss. I'm relieved that the blog is in order for you. I'm also glad you like the poem, rauf.
ReplyDeleteOliag, I looked up a pine siskin, they look like finches, and I'm not sure I would have distinguished them. I love the name of the bird.
ReplyDeleteI can see you as a tabby or tiger cat, curled up in a nook on your sailboat . . .
Maybe 2011 will be the year bluebirds come to your yard in Rhode Island.
Marcie, thank you. Oh yes, I totally see you connected with dogs. You post so many tremendous photographs of them! Clearly you are drawn to them when they join you in open spaces.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Terresa. Yes, the first photo is odd and fools the eye. Merry Christmas to you, dear poetess of the desert and sometimes more misty lands . . .
ReplyDeleteVagabonde, those French phrases sound beautiful to me, as does bluebird. One of these days I would love to hear you say them in person. Maybe when you come to Ohio sometime we can arrange to meet.
ReplyDeleteDS! It is not I who manages synchronicities. They manage themselves, and I am just the word-writer. :) And of course you are consciously connected.
ReplyDeleteWhat you say about the vulnerability of the throat is beautiful, I hadn't thought of it that way. It's a great image for this writing practice, which does need care and attention, and protection too. Thank you for that.
I just painted some cardinals on wooden ornaments, speaking of synchronicity, my friend, they are among my very favorites, probably a close second to bluebirds.
I'm glad the blog looks fine for you in IE. Phew.
Thank you so much for those warm words, Margaret!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gwei Mui. Take it easy in the snow.
ReplyDeleteSince I use Firefox, Ruth, all is perfectly received and viewed. However, I must say that whenever I use wrapping in my own posts, I will always check them out in IE before I post them, for exactly the reason you described. (sigh)
ReplyDeleteYou already know that my animal guide is the wolf. But now you have me wondering...does one's guide ever change in the course of a lifetime? I do find it so sweet that yours is the bluebird.
As always, I'm a day late, a dollar short, and a post behind. I read this lovely post a few days ago, but didn't have time to leave a comment, and now you have a new post.
ReplyDeleteI love bluebirds too. We are fortunate to be on their migration path. We see Western Bluebirds twice a year when they fly through the nature reserve where my husband and I walk every weekend. I've tried to photograph them many times and have only had marginal success: http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=bluebird&w=31150609%40N05
Yours, and George's, are far better photos, but I keep trying. The warm amber photo at the top of your post is also wonderful.
So beautiful. I would have bought the card, too. Never seen a bluebird in the flesh. Or feather. Would love to someday.
ReplyDeleteRuth, loved the pictures from this post. I have a soft spot for birds and feed them all winter long in the back yard. Hope your Holidays are happy and bright! Julie in Holland
ReplyDeleteTha bluebird in that top photo is gorgeous, the lighting, all of it.
ReplyDeleteSpecial affinity for years was the zebra. Probably still is. I have many pieces of art devoted to it.