Snapshots of the Divine for Troubling Times

Hmmm, where can we turnfor a beacon of hope in these troubling times?

There is no shortage oftroubling topics to turn my mind to at the moment. British PM Boris Johnstonresigning as Prime Minister amidst a scandal. Patrick Brown disqualified fromthe federal Conservative leadership race due to allegations of wrongdoing.Chaos at the Pearson International Airport leaving travellers stranded orwaiting for hours for delayed flights.

And that is just the tipof the iceberg. But I am still on vacation for a few more days and would ratherturn my mind to more pleasing subjects.

I am therefore choosing tolook back a second time on my mini getaway last week to the Point Pelee area. Ispent a few of those hours strolling around nearby Hillman Marsh ConservationArea and left with these treasured photos.

This view, perhaps the singlemost calming one from my mini vacation, shows interlocking islands of oneparticular marsh flower that clearly finds Hillmans to its liking. I do notknow the name of the flower. But that matters naught. The image needs nolabels.

I could have stretchedout in the grass and gazed upon this panorama for hours. It was a quiet oasisthat fed my soul and asked for nothing in return.

Immediately behind whereI was standing on a boardwalk when I took the first photograph, I spotted this Bronze Copper butterfly at the marshedge. It is a tiny creature easily missed unless you are on the lookout for suchthings as I always am.

Its wings were bashfullyclosed when I first spotted it. But it did me the grace of spreading its wingsto display the warm orange patches with their black dashes and the purplishwing edges. I was fortunate to happen on that particular spot at the right timeand perhaps only did so because of the time I spent admiring the view in theother direction.

Something appealed to meabout this vista as I walked a berm bordered by drainage channels. Nature had framedthe view perfectly for me and required only that I recognize the fact.

Left of the frame: the old,gnarled tree slowly expiring in the swamp. Right of the frame: The profusion ofgreenery in a younger tree in its prime. Bottom of the frame: The feathery grasssprouts standing like protective sentinels. Top of the frame: The cluster ofsmaller trees deeper in the swamp angling left toward I know not what.

Elegant scenes like theseare snapshots of the divine so desperately needed amidst the madness that hasgripped our world. I hope they bring you a bit of peace as you find your wayaround or through the turmoil that closes in our lives and threatens to derailus.

Nature is a mother and ahealer and a beacon of hope so very much needed in these uncertain anddisconcerting times.

~ NowAvailable Online from Amazon, Chapters Indigo or Barnes & Noble: HuntingMuskie, Rites of Passage – Stories by Michael Robert Dyet

~ Michael Robert Dyet is alsothe author of Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel whichwas a double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’swebsite at www.mdyetmetaphor.com or the novel online companion at www.mdyetmetaphor.com/blog .

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