It’s the only world we get. I hope someday we figure out a way to live together on it in peace. There’s a cattail, there’s a meadowlark, there’s a friend. That is enough.
While reading your piece today and Mary Oliver's lovely poem, I couldn't help remember a beautiful mountain tarn at the top of a Sierra Nevada summit called Mosquito Lake. It's a pond actually with lily pads floating on its still waters. Someone built a tiny cabin upon a huge boulder on the opposite side of the pond from the road. I wonder if anyone still stays there during the summer months. Anyway, while my friends were focusing, literally, on photographing the area, I looked down and discovered may flies or some such faery-like insect emerging from an underwater nest. One by one, dozens of them took off into the unknown. Then I spotted a water snake, maybe a garter, undulating along the shore toward this nest. In suspense, I watched it approach, then to my relief, to pass the emerging flies as if it was already sated upon some other creature. I could regret not recording it photographically for posterity, but the memory is so vivid, I don't need pictures. See how you inspire me every time I read your posts? Thank you.
Sue, I’m just looking at photos of Mosquito Lake now and feel absolutely transported — by the lake, by the water lilies, and by that little cabin perched atop the boulders. Thank you for sharing the magic of Mosquito Lake with us through your beautiful words and recollection, I can absolutely see how that moment has stayed with you 🤍✨
Oh, this is beautiful! With the image of the cabin & pond you described already vivid in my mind, I gasped when I scrolled down to your illustration. The butterfly gives me such hope. Dandelion Seeds + Mary Oliver = Joy.
“Dandelion Seeds + Mary Oliver = Joy.” Abbie, your comment absolutely made my day to read 😍 thank you so much for reading and being here, I’m thrilled that what I share resonates with you! 🤍✨
Thank you so much, Matt — I’m so glad to hear she speaks to you as well. Anytime I’m feeling out of touch with the world or in need of fresh hope and perspective, more Mary Oliver is always the answer 🙏✨
I’m so glad those words spoke to you, Mom, and yes! I absolutely need to spend more time with them to really get why they’re speaking to me so much right now, too. Love and miss you always, and so wish we could spend a morning at Nives soon talking about this poem 😊🤍🙏
Such a beautiful composition of your words, your art, all matched by wondrous poetry. Thank you for sharing and introducing me to Mary Oliver. I love this poem. Poetry was hardly on my radar until I found Substack and great people such as you Candace who expand the life of poems and make the world feel like a better place. I wish we could share photos here in comments because as I discovered your Substack I had literally just finished a piece of art based on dandelions! If you might be interested to see it I am @CasaB12 on IG and it’s the 5th post down. And it’s on my pattern page @marks_and_motifs with a dandelion pattern afterwards. 🙏
Ahh Sally, I’m so glad you pointed me to your beautiful illustration (and yes! I totally second your suggestion that we should be able to share photos in comments here…), but it’s such a magical scene and I just love how you captured the dandelions ✨ Thank you so much for your kind words here as well! I’m honored that I could introduce you to Mary Oliver, and I hope you’ll have a chance to read more of her work soon — she’s one of my heroes 📚🤍🙏
It’s the only world we get. I hope someday we figure out a way to live together on it in peace. There’s a cattail, there’s a meadowlark, there’s a friend. That is enough.
“There’s a cattail, there’s a meadowlark, there’s a friend. That is enough.”
Switter, what powerful and poignant words — thank you so much for sharing them here 🙏✨
The both/and of human being
Yes! I love how you put that, Priya 🙏🤍
While reading your piece today and Mary Oliver's lovely poem, I couldn't help remember a beautiful mountain tarn at the top of a Sierra Nevada summit called Mosquito Lake. It's a pond actually with lily pads floating on its still waters. Someone built a tiny cabin upon a huge boulder on the opposite side of the pond from the road. I wonder if anyone still stays there during the summer months. Anyway, while my friends were focusing, literally, on photographing the area, I looked down and discovered may flies or some such faery-like insect emerging from an underwater nest. One by one, dozens of them took off into the unknown. Then I spotted a water snake, maybe a garter, undulating along the shore toward this nest. In suspense, I watched it approach, then to my relief, to pass the emerging flies as if it was already sated upon some other creature. I could regret not recording it photographically for posterity, but the memory is so vivid, I don't need pictures. See how you inspire me every time I read your posts? Thank you.
Sue, I’m just looking at photos of Mosquito Lake now and feel absolutely transported — by the lake, by the water lilies, and by that little cabin perched atop the boulders. Thank you for sharing the magic of Mosquito Lake with us through your beautiful words and recollection, I can absolutely see how that moment has stayed with you 🤍✨
Thank you, Candace.
Thanks, Candace, for sharing your beautiful work, heart and soul. I've loved every piece you have shared.
Marlee, I can’t tell you how much your beautiful words mean — thank you! 🤍🙏
Oh, this is beautiful! With the image of the cabin & pond you described already vivid in my mind, I gasped when I scrolled down to your illustration. The butterfly gives me such hope. Dandelion Seeds + Mary Oliver = Joy.
“Dandelion Seeds + Mary Oliver = Joy.” Abbie, your comment absolutely made my day to read 😍 thank you so much for reading and being here, I’m thrilled that what I share resonates with you! 🤍✨
Love Mary Oliver and love this beautiful illustration. Thank you for reminding me to read her more often and for sharing your work.
Thank you so much, Matt — I’m so glad to hear she speaks to you as well. Anytime I’m feeling out of touch with the world or in need of fresh hope and perspective, more Mary Oliver is always the answer 🙏✨
Resplendent reminder to be here now.
Be here now indeed, Jill — those have always been three of my favorite words 🤍🙏✨
reading this post is a nice way to start the day......
I’m so glad to hear it, Glenn — thank you for reading! 🙏
"against your bones knowing
your own life depends on it;"
My goodness gracious.
This: "against your bones knowing your own life depends on it."
I'm right there in my life currently.
I think we've all been in that place.
I'm so curious to hear how others interpret that phrase.
What would you say that means, Candace?
I’m so glad those words spoke to you, Mom, and yes! I absolutely need to spend more time with them to really get why they’re speaking to me so much right now, too. Love and miss you always, and so wish we could spend a morning at Nives soon talking about this poem 😊🤍🙏
I enjoyed this so much. Thank you for sharing. ❤️
I’m so glad, Sharon — thanks so much for reading and being here 🤍
Such a beautiful composition of your words, your art, all matched by wondrous poetry. Thank you for sharing and introducing me to Mary Oliver. I love this poem. Poetry was hardly on my radar until I found Substack and great people such as you Candace who expand the life of poems and make the world feel like a better place. I wish we could share photos here in comments because as I discovered your Substack I had literally just finished a piece of art based on dandelions! If you might be interested to see it I am @CasaB12 on IG and it’s the 5th post down. And it’s on my pattern page @marks_and_motifs with a dandelion pattern afterwards. 🙏
Ahh Sally, I’m so glad you pointed me to your beautiful illustration (and yes! I totally second your suggestion that we should be able to share photos in comments here…), but it’s such a magical scene and I just love how you captured the dandelions ✨ Thank you so much for your kind words here as well! I’m honored that I could introduce you to Mary Oliver, and I hope you’ll have a chance to read more of her work soon — she’s one of my heroes 📚🤍🙏
Thank you for visiting my IG post and your kind words also. Dandelions make this world a better and beautiful place 🌼
Beautiful 💜
Thank you, Simone! 🤍
Always loved those lines from Mary Oliver 😍
Yes! They are words to live by for sure 🤍🙏✨
Love your writing and artwork
Thank you so much, Tinabeth 🤍🙏
Beautiful! Reminds me of the cattails where I grew up.
I love hearing that, Janine! 🌾
I read this poem (in full) at my mother’s memorial 11+ years ago. It has a very special place in my heart. Thanks for this.