And I Just Stood There

listening and holding out

Winter walk after the first snow fall I

Snowy Night by Mary Oliver

Last night, an owl
in the blue dark
tossed an indeterminate number
of carefully shaped sounds into
the world, in which,
a quarter of a mile away, I happened
to be standing.
I couldn’t tell
which one it was –
the barred or the great-horned
ship of the air –
it was that distant. But, anyway,
aren’t there moments
that are better than knowing something,
and sweeter? Snow was falling,
so much like stars
filling the dark trees
that one could easily imagine
its reason for being was nothing more
than prettiness. I suppose
if this were someone else’s story
they would have insisted on knowing
whatever is knowable – would have hurried
over the fields
to name it – the owl, I mean.
But it’s mine, this poem of the night,
and I just stood there, listening and holding out
my hands to the soft glitter
falling through the air. I love this world,
but not for its answers.
And I wish good luck to the owl,
whatever its name –
and I wish great welcome to the snow,
whatever its severe and comfortless
and beautiful meaning.

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Dear readers,

With this poem, these images and a short video of a beautiful encounter with two deer on my walk the other day, I want to say ‘thank you.’

This is my last letter of this year. Thank you so much for being here — for taking the time to read my writings, for leaving kind comments, for sharing my work, and for sending me encouraging messages. It is quite vulnerable to keep sharing and to click the send button every week. But I am looking forward to continuing with it in 2025.

I am wishing everyone a peaceful Christmas and the best for the new year.

Much love, Manuela

Winter walk after the first snow fall II

Winter walk after the first snow fall III

These two came closer and closer. I just stood there quietly waiting, observing and listening while being filled with awe and wonder. It was such a gift.

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Items Of Note

1. Our next “Creative Hour” on Zoom is scheduled for Saturday, January 18th, 11 am CST. Details will follow.

2. Workshop with Maine Media

   I will be teaching a three week online workshop this coming February with Maine Media titled “Exploring The Art Of Multiple Exposure”. Click here to check out all the details!