There’s a thin thawing line between winter
and spring awakening.
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sensing tight bud self
freedom becomes possible
breathe into the light
|
There’s
a thin thawing line between winter and spring awakening.
Mitzrayim and bamidbar constricted
wild mind peaceful expansive heart, slender and fragile as a sheet of matzah,
crisp bread unrisen, blessed twice, dissolving on the tongue if we choose
briefly to allow it to rest there -here before biting down or swallowing. Choosing
(because we can) to taste freedom, fully present, the subtly burnt flavor
of flour and water mixed pricked and baked in eighteen minutes start to finish
unites past and future generations to the pregnant pause of just this.
Peh
sach
Your
hushed mouth speaks this very moment into existence in stillness.
The Seder
ritual continues as we bless the bitterness, acknowledge the difficulties real
and imagined, then bind them to sweetness, another blessing for life
continuously enfolds sorrow into joy, and this is our sacred offering,
ingesting the truth of what it is to be human.
Dish
after dish of memories flood the palate. Cousins laugh at inside jokes,
the “supplemental maggid,” unique to every family. Idle chatter mingles
with silverware clatter while idolatrous prattle rattles the closet doors of
closed minded expectations, judgmental who’s who identities collide despite the
illumination of fluidly dancing yontiff candles disclosing evidence to
the contrary, gently advising us to notice, perhaps for the first time who is
really who and more to the point; “who’s are NOT what’s” objectified solid
frozen in history but ceaselessly transforming, same as you grown and growing
bursting the seams of hand-me-down emotional garments you’d long assumed (like
everyone else) were actually your-Self.
And here it is
again, that thin thawing line between winter and spring awakening.
The poem above wends
its way like a meditation through a few of the rituals of a Pesach Seder as imagined through my
memory. Here is a link to the required elements of a Seder.
Some helpful (I hope) explanations of words that may not be familiar:
Mitzrayim- Egypt. Held within the Hebrew is the word “tzar,”
meaning narrow place, constriction, contracted. From this we understand that this
is also a state of heart and mind caught in thoughts and emotions that hold us
in a pattern of suffering.
Bamidbar- In the desert, or wilderness; we can equate this with an
open spacious heart and mind, unfettered by fear, anger, delusion, greed, sleepiness,
doubt and other hindrances that may hamper our sense of freedom.
Matzah- This is the unleavened bread eaten during the eight days of
Passover, reminiscent of the bread prepared in a hurry on the way out of Egypt during
the Exodus.
Pesach- In
ancient Temple times this was the burnt offering. It is also the word Jewish
people say instead of Passover.
“Pesach is formed with three letters: Peh,
Samech, and Chet. The kabbalists say pesach can be read as two words,
revealing a deeper meaning: Peh Sach which means "the mouth
speaks." These two words are spelled with four letters: Peh, Heh,
Samech, and Chet. Therefore, the Oral Tradition uncovers that the
letter Heh was skipped over.
Conceptually, the
"mouth speaking" is what happens during the Seder when we retell the
going out of Egypt. Haggadah means "speech." Kabbalah teaches that
each month of the calendar has a strong link to a different human quality. This
month, Nisan, is connected to the quality of speech. What is speech? It is
bringing ideas into reality.” (Aish)
Seder-
Literally
means order. A Seder is a Jewish spiritual practice of rituals that unfold in a
specific order including blessings, asking questions, telling the story of the
Exodus and passages from other ancient and contemporary texts, a grand meal and
many songs. It is a religious service that is held in the home, led by the
family. Seder’s occur on the first two nights of the holiday of
Passover.
Maggid-the story. One
essential aspect of a Passover Seder is to retell the story of the Exodus out
of Egypt.
Yontiff- This is the
Yiddish pronunciation of the words Yom Tov, meaning good day in Hebrew, in
other words, holiday.
Whether you are celebrating Passover or Easter, another holiday this week or simply the gift of a new season's arrival, I wish everyone joy, peace and hearts wide open like buds waking to the possibility of freedom in this moment, as the thin line of separation thaws.
May all beings be free of suffering.
Linking to:
I Heart Macro
haiku my heart
d'verse
real toads
*The first seven photos were taken in the midst of a snow storm on the last day of winter, the last three are from the first morning of spring just after I woke up.
haiku my heart
d'verse
real toads
*The first seven photos were taken in the midst of a snow storm on the last day of winter, the last three are from the first morning of spring just after I woke up.
Happy Passover to you! Have a wonderful Seder!
ReplyDeleteChag sameach!
Beautiful images!
ReplyDeletefabulous captures of ice crystals. Almost makes me wish it was colder here - the operative word being "almost!"
ReplyDeleteI love all the small details in these shots! I am cold just looking at them :o)
ReplyDeleteThe Seder ritual continues as we bless the bitterness, acknowledge the difficulties real and imagined, then bind them to sweetness...love that...had a family i used to celebrate seder with, was very cool...and your world looks a lot like mine right now....spring covered in snow...
ReplyDeleteBeautiful images! And I am so sorry to hear about your dog- we experienced the same last year with our dog! We tried to be with her as much as possible and make her last months as easy as possible.
ReplyDeleteGreat Shots! Love the leaf one!
ReplyDeleteHave a Free and Peaceful Passover!
ReplyDeleteStill so much winter. Love the shot with the curly branch! Thank you for the word definitions, now I must go back and reread what you wrote!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pics of the beginning of spring. How nice! The waiting's over! Nicely Laura!
ReplyDeleteHank
Sending many good wishes for your sweet dog, they add so much to our lives! Thanks for this lovely post, I hope your thaw also crosses into Spring soon:)
ReplyDeleteContrasts ... exquisite black and white colors crisp with winter's mantle ... and yet a shock because I had just posted wildflowers on my own blog ... celebrate diversity and the turning of the seasons. Thank you. Blessings!
ReplyDeleteFascinating, informative, and very well said.
ReplyDeleteK
Happy Passover, dearest Laura. May you have a beautiful time with family. All photos are quite lovely but the third to last is especially beautiful.
ReplyDeletelovely winter into spring images ~
ReplyDeleteHappy Passover!
ReplyDeleteThese are lovely photos. Saying a prayer for your dear Ellie.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful frosty shots.
ReplyDeleteSuch stunning photos. Thank you for sharing them. ☺
ReplyDeleteLovely photos!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful bokeh and light in your images. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing in such an evocative way Laura.
ReplyDeletewow, awesome clicks....
ReplyDeleteSensing tight bud self...
ReplyDeleteThis phrase so aptly describes that period of transition, just before one makes a personal leap in evolution and progression. Nicely done, as always, Laura.
rituals, practices, I do love them. Jewish, Catholic both are heavy on tradtional things like these. I adore the imagery hear and the "thawing line" is really a nice concept to ponder. And the photography takes my breath away. It 's even poetry without words.
ReplyDeleteYour posts are filled...spilling of the most inspiring images and words, Laura. Thinking of you and Ellie. ♥
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful pictures. Sending healing thoughts to you and Ellie.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures alone could make a beautiful meditation and your words create images of their own...a lovely post. I will come back to read the definitions again ...your posts are a beautiful way for me to learn.
ReplyDeleteWishing you all the best, Happy Passover!
ReplyDeletethawing line...great springboard.
ReplyDeleteI love your poetry photo essays - they say so much to me. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteExcellent pics and haiku, as always.
ReplyDeleteyour photos are lovely. Frost is so simple and clean. It's wonderful to photograph...but i will be quite happy to see the flowers again. Happy Passover.
ReplyDeleteHappy Passover! I hope you dog is better now! Lovely images. Have a happy week!
ReplyDeleteGreat macro shots ~ There is indeed a thin line dividing winter and spring ~
ReplyDeleteNice set of photos, I'm a fool for backlit shots. Happy Pesach.
ReplyDeleteYou are still wearing the beautiful mantle of winter, I see!
ReplyDeleteTerrific photos Laura. Beautiful bokeh in the last three.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photography - it's still a bit too icy for real spring, but it can't be far away.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about your dog, and will understand if we don't see you about so much. We become so attached to our pets that it's very hard when they are old and ill.
Fabulous shots! Snow and ice is so pretty.
ReplyDeleteWhether we celebrate Passover or Easter, the important question is, "What does this mean?" If we don't ask, and then stop to consider the answer, it's all just empty ritual.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are amazing - but I still wish spring would come soon.
How lovely this is and how peaceful I am left after reading. Thank you for allowing us to be a "fly on the wall" so to speak, for the insights and traditions shared. There is something about such tradition, gatherings, rituals--such continuity that makes us feel one with our family, whole once again. Wonderful piece.
ReplyDeleteSo true that there is a thin thawing line between winter and spring....ha, I don't think we have achieved it here yet.
ReplyDeleteHi Laura, Your photos are amazing tooo ... a big kiss from Switzerland ♥
ReplyDeleteExquisite photos, exquisite writing. The words flow into my heart and I am beginning to see why God so loves the Jewish people. You allow a peek into truly inspired traditions-"we bless the bitterness, acknowledge the difficulties real and imagined, then bind them to sweetness, another blessing for life continuously enfolds sorrow into joy, and this is our sacred offering, ingesting the truth of what it is to be human." Thank you. Blessings teri
ReplyDeleteStellar photos Laura and lovely haiku!
ReplyDeleteIt is indeed a thin line, and it seems to be staying that way for a really long time this year. Your photographs are wonderful, Laura, and I truly enjoyed reading this post.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a fantastic day!
Wow, just wonderful - very beautiful photos! Happy Easter to you, Laura!
ReplyDeletewonderful pics! and nice piece of heaven :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful series of images showing Laura. Wish you a happy Easter :) Hanne Bente
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures!
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter!
So fine ice and snow pictures with many fine details.
ReplyDeleteMarit.
Oh, Laura--I really loved this post. Not only your pictures, but all the significance of passover and the meanings of words. ((hugs)) Just beautiful--exquisite. Fills my eyes AND my heart.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading your post, it's so wonderful and meaningful, true words from the heart. Beautiful photos too.
ReplyDeleteHappy Passover and happy spring to you Laura, enjoy this time :)
Gorgeous captures, Laura. Wish you a happy Easter Holiday.
ReplyDeleteIrene
Beautiful winter pictures:)
ReplyDeleteHappy easter!
Wonderful photos, I like those forms with snow, wonderful! Excellent!
ReplyDeletealways loved ur pics
ReplyDeletehappy skywatch Friday
It just seems so wrong to be looking at photos of ice and snow when our local temperature here in the Sonoran Desert today is supposed to reach 90 degrees!
ReplyDeleteWhen the Desert Blooms and Tender Sky
Your haiku is beautiful,Laura,
ReplyDeletebut the poem is so exquisite and packed with
truth about family
so clever in what it reveals about the reader...
it is all there
for those who have ears to hear it.
♥♥
Wonderful shots of the thin line between winter and spring.
ReplyDeletehappy Skywatch and Happy Easter.
You make the divine shine today, Laura! Happy Easter!
ReplyDeleteloving this coming back to see what you have recently posted. at awe at the pics and so glad to see you are going on no matter what
ReplyDeletehugs.
D.
Here's hoping that the ultimate wisdom of the trees will hold those tiny buds tight until the perfect moment!
ReplyDelete"Thin thawing line between winter and spring awakening," words that say so much about this season. I watched the full moon last night, surrounded by clouds, and I thought of you and this season of awakening. May you and yours be well as you enjoy the arrival of spring ~
ReplyDeleteI can see the beauty of Winter in your photos. Magical !
ReplyDeleteA lovely B&W post!
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter to you!
This is a wonderful post, photos, haiku and your description of a Seder! Lovely!
ReplyDeleteSupper
you share your heart song, your love light, your willing unfurling so generously.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post.
ReplyDeleteAdmire your shots and words!
ReplyDeleteNice B&W!!
ReplyDeletehttp://amitaag.blogspot.in/2013/03/crystal-vase.html
Such spirit here on your blog with words, haiku, photography ~ Beautiful! ^_^
ReplyDeleteWow...what a cool post, Laura! And, I love your shots.
ReplyDeleteLovely lovely photos and post. Hope your precious dog is doing well in her late life. How lucky she is to be surrounded by those who love her!
ReplyDeleteThis was a great post, Laura, with wonderful photos,- I really liked them all!
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter to you:)
Wonderful blog...enjoyed the photos and the info♫♪ My Top Shot: http://lmkazmierczak.blogspot.com/2013/03/satans-standing-room.html
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos, and Happy Easter!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the reminder of a thin line between fear and trust.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!
ReplyDelete