This being human is a guest house...

"This being human is a guest house
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they're a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture,
still, treat each guest honourably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond."

Rumi. Circa 1240(?)

Valentines Day

© Rob Lee

Ragnheidur Bjorgvinsdottir Lee arrived in the UK on Valentine's Day in 1947

Extreme Weather

The very rare giant blue poppy — only flowers during extreme weather conditions...

Snowflakes

Two snowflakes land side by side on the ledge of a Manhattan skyscraper. In the streets far below the pavements are crowded with people, tiny black shapes moving about like ants.

“Incredible isn't it,” said one snowflake to the other, “from up here they all look the same, but did you know that each one is unique?”

The snow continued to fall, becoming heavier all the time, swirling past the ledge into the void below. For a moment it seemed that the white flakes falling through space, and the black dots on the pavements, were part of the same strange design.

“Yes, I know,” said the second snowflake, “and they are just as fragile as we are.”