But times have changed and, although our new friend liked the living room very much, he longed for a closeness with the world that television couldn't furnish. We understood --that has to come from within.
The hydrangea leaned into our guest,
Raised its grassy fragrance to his face
And kept it there through the night.
I remember back seat Buddha well. He seems content in his new placement.
ReplyDeleteYou have a good memory, Emma! And yes, his new placement affords a subtly radiant contentment every time I walk past him. I'm part plant, you know.
DeleteAll people should seek light, too; i.e., en-light-enment, facts, truth ...
ReplyDeleteBuddha is pretty big, judging by the linked post, so that must mean those pots are pretty big as well. That explains how the hydrangea are growing in them. I've only ever seen eight-foot tall hydrangeas to date :)
Dear Jenny, when Norma and Christina brought Buddha home I marveled at their combined determination --then went to the barn to fetch a hand-truck. As you know, we spent the past decade in drought here, so big pots got very popular. There are still some tall hydrangeas toward the river --peat-soil-- but our ground plus heat equals rock-hard clay.
DeleteOmmmmmm.
ReplyDeleteBruce, that mystic syllable has called me for many many years --in it, is the universe within my body and mind, as well as tremendous operations beyond our star. I still don't understand its myriad continuities, but the truth is in trying.
DeleteIf only all of us could be as comfortable as formerly Backseat and now Backyard Buddha.
ReplyDeleteDear EC, Time is going in all directions constantly. We mainly perceive backward and forward, but sense the sidereal cacophony of the fuller concert. It helps to haul a symbol home of a true fixed point in the universe.
DeleteEnlightening, thank you.
ReplyDeleteThe hydrangea and your guest model such peace. Arrived perhaps by a path of eight ways? A moment of Bliss.
Indeed, Tom, an eightfold path between worldliness and asceticism, in 2500 years has remained unimpeachable. We could use such wisdom now.
DeleteAll living creatures seek light......sometimes we find it in the darkest places. May you and your buddha find your own light.
ReplyDeleteWe know our way in the dark, and in knowledge is light. Thanks, I need reminding sometimes.
DeleteI do remember very big Backseat Buddha and am happy to hear that he has made it to your beautiful gardens where all the lovely creatures that inhabit your’and Norma’s yard can live peacefully together. As Catalyst said, “Ommmmmm.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Arleen. There is a refreshing peace in the garden, but it is not constant. Sometimes I hear cats calling each other simply awful names at night out there.
DeleteWhen one reads how things panned out - allegedly - 2000ish years ago, I would not want to have Jesus as my co-pilot! I must confess that this is the first time I have come across this idea of "faith-based driving."
ReplyDeleteI don't think that acquiring an ass-driving licence would cut much ice in court, if one were booked for a road 'incident.'
Excellent point, Tom! Many social and governmental agencies were in a primitive state 2000 years ago and the Department of Motor Vehicles was no exception.
DeleteI especially like the second from last of Norma's photos. The composition is lovely, and it looks like the hydrangea is communing with the Backyard Buddha, petals to hand. I be the Backseat Buddha is happier among the flowers. Take care, my friend!
ReplyDeleteDear Louise, thanks. I just came indoors (it's about 10:30 pm) and a little opossum was sniffing Buddha's foot. He's got friends out there!
DeleteI remember your Backseat Buddha post, and as happy as he looked in the Mazda, he looks truly at peace in the garden. Then again, he'd look happy wherever you "planted" him, wouldn't he? There's something there for all of us to learn.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful weekend, dude. Keep the peace. OMMMMMMMM!
Thanks, Susan. I agree. He looks more relaxed out there anyway. He is indeed a reminder to keep the peace, even if --by example of his stone face-- it means I shouldn't miss a chance to keep my mouth shut.
DeleteI have a Buddha on ma window sill, on ma desk and on ma side table in order to keep me grounded, friend Geo … Love, cat.
ReplyDeleteDear brave friend, Cat. If ever there was a time we needed to be grounded --and there have been many-- with our heels dug into sanity and reason, social justice and compassion, it is now. The Eightfold Path must always be well-marked.
ReplyDeleteI can't find my hydrangea at the moment (it may have perished in the heat, or just be grown over, it's not big yet) but my buddha has taken up residence in the polytunnel, under the lime tree. This year purslane grew all over him. Buddhas belong with plants. Yours looks serene and impervious to problems of scale.
ReplyDeleteLisa, I have seen photos of your polytunnel and it looks just the place for world-changing philosophy to thrive. Meditation under lime tree is an excellent spot. As to hydrangea, they get lost under things here too, but we keep one potted in case Buddha needs it in a hurry.
Delete