withered

There have been many days here in San Luis Obispo where the San Luis Obispo creek has put its flowing arms around me and held me close – against some of the facts of life, more often regarding my remarkably poor attempt to accept them. As the Buddha said in his Second Noble Truth – “This is the way that leads to suffering.” Words like that.

I’ve been able to get entirely lost in the wonder of the creek, fortunately way more than any suffering. Something about the flowing fresh water through the heart of the city, fish swimming here, over there. Little waterfalls and the just drifting along. The tree pictured above I discovered Sunday, on a directionless walk to a new part of town, along with the longest view of the creek. This picture fails to offer the sense, the right there, the thusness of such a grand old tree above the creek. I wish I’d honored it better.

A couple of birds (a couple) live in the tree and other birds and butterflies visit the tree. The seemingly forever wind ruffles the leaves and branches. I’ve taken the long walk and come back three days running now, and if I’m lucky I gather all of my stuff here again today.

“Flowers bloom on a withered tree….” It’s nice to write about this.