After breakfast of toast—a treat since our apartment does not have a toaster—butter, jam, and coffee, my friend Rick went to morning prayer in the chapel at La Ferme de Trosly. I went upstairs and straightened my bedroom: Sheets and towels were dropped into the laundry basket in the hallway. Bedspreads and pillows were smoothed and clothes packed into the always handy Longchamp bag. I draped a trench coat and sweater over my arm and took the spiral steps down to the welcome desk. Leaving my things with Benedicta, I opened the door into a misty morning for a walk.
Prayer and Attentiveness
Tiny flowers on old stone wall, Trosly-Breuil, France. Photo: Mary van Balen
Praying
by Mary Oliver
It doesn’t have to be
the blue iris, it could be
weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch
a few words together and don’t try
to make them elaborate, this isn’t
a contest but the doorway
into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.”
Tangle or roots, flowers, and a snail shell on old stone wall, Trosly-Breuil, France. Photo: Mary van Balen
Rue des Criosettes, Trosly-Breuil, France
Photo: Mary van Balen
Horse Chestnut blooms, Trosly-Breuil, France
Photo: Mary van Balen
Dew beads, Trosly-Breuil, France Photo: Mary van Balen
Lilacs, Trosly-Breuil, France Photo: Mary van Balen
The Val Fleuri, Trosly-Breuil, France Photo: Mary van Balen
Beside the road, Trosly-Breuil, France Photo: Mary van Balen
Amen.
You’ve sent me to prayer. Your photos are gorgeous!
Thank you for sharing such wonderful photos and thoughts.
Oh so beautiful Mary. Thanks so much for sharing.
Mary dear,
The photos are beautiful, so many thanks. If you see Rick again, tell him the Iris bulbs he gave me a few years ago are blooming gorgeous Iris flowers in my patio!!
Blessings,
Adele
Yes, how lovely your musings in photography… love this! thank you for being in France!