Siberian Iris

We are awash in irises this week. The first ones appeared a week ago and then slowly, slowly the rest joined: purple and yellow, white and two-toned and even real blue ones. They are everywhere, but these are my favorite. They are right at our front door, a fitting welcome to our guests and sisters when they return home.

And how could I not share this, surely one of Mary Oliver's most frequently quoted and most beautiful poems.

Praying by Mary Oliver

It doesn't have to be

the blue iris, it could be

weeds in a vacant lot, or a few

small stones; just

pay attention, then patch

a few words together and don't try

to make them elaborate, this isn't

a contest but the doorway

into thanks, and a silence in which

another voice may speak.

These are in front of a shed at Benetwood Apartments.