Letters from France: Walking Peace

The church belfry is a hundred meters from the garret window. I watch the community of little brown birds that nestle against the limestone wall of the courtyard garden below every day. The seven o’clock morning bells, not too early, reasonable, are still insistent. Wake up, it’s another day to do what you can. Choose to be content. The bells ring peace and continuity to the tiny village. Today, after Paris' night of terror, I pray that violent men everywhere hear the peace in their hearts and sad families find ways to continue, wholly human.

What I can do is share the poetry I see. You may not need it every day, but when you do, come, walk around with me. Look. The magic sometimes leaps out, demanding attention, or I may not see the mystery until I examine my walking-around photos later. All my old photos appear to have been obliterated in the recent electrical catastrophe. Last week I took some more.

Look closely. Old surveyor's goggles, onced used to aid in pruning topiary in straight lines. Now, lenses embedded with snowflake pattern. Jardins d'Eyrignac.

Consider a new perspective. Approach to pagoda, Jardins d'Eyrignac.

Step inside another viewpoint. Wow. Pagoda, Jardins d'Eyrignac.

Look past the foreground. Vista, Jardins d'Eyrignac.

When creating something, consider its effect on the surroundings, and whether you can manage it in the long run. Shadows, Topiary allée,Jardins d'Eyrignac.

Care and order bring calm. An aligned perspective is not necessary. Jardins d'Eyrignac.

When examiing a thing, consider what is underneath, alongside, and what is reflected. Fontaine, Jardins d'Eyrignac.

Make silly, make fun.

Make lovely.

Multi-part harmony. Jardins de Marqueyssac.

Take the alternate route from time to time. Everything changes. Jardins de Marqueyssac.

Every one is different, all attached to Earth. Jardins de Marquessac.

What light do you contribute? Streetlight chandelier, Sarlat.

Children are everywhere, watching and learning.

Angels, Bordeaux.