Peacock iridescence in vertical shadows.
Violet blooms spread to noonday sun.
The world’s beauty in a swirl of color,
But in the flower’s center is bright stillness.
This world is movement. Its nature is constant change, infinite variation. Without infinite variation, there would be stasis, for we would reach limits. But all limits are actually arbitrary. Life is one endless equation of darkness, brilliance, color, sound, fragrance, and sensation.
The peacock attracts his mate through his plumage; the flower attracts the bee with its color and fragrance. Beauty is moved to madness, is urged toward more beauty, is lost in the dance of seduction. We hover around the petals of the flower, drunk in the thrill of color. Enthralled with the fragrance of some haunting perfume, we are moved to act, to touch, to fill our shallow vessels with the fullness of promised joy.
Yet in the center of the flower, all is stillness. When the dance of beauty is finished, culmination is at hand. In life, attractions are endless. We should do no more than we need to satisfy ourselves. To plunge further is foolhardy. We must remember to withdraw and look within. Lingering on the outside of our souls, there is shimmering beauty and fantastic movement. It is only when we go to the center of our souls that we are in the eye of the storm, the still-point of existence. Then all is brightness, energy condensed, unbearably strong and powerful, yet absorbed in supreme quietude.
I’m attracted to things and people that are very natural, that aren’t overly extravagant. Most of the flowers I love are quite simple, and those that have been played with to make them have more petals or whatever usually don’t attract me at all. The roses I love most are those that are flatter with fewer petals, the old roses. I adore my California poppies with their four-petaled simplicity.
I’ve become less extravagant as well. I rarely wear makeup these days. I dress pretty simply, love my t-shirts and jeans most of all, and a good pair of tennis shoes or sandals. Always flats, I can’t wear heels at all. The men I’ve always found most striking were those that let their beards and hair grow, but kept it neatly trimmed. Perhaps it’s all just part of being a 70’s kid, but we were a pretty free-flowing bunch back then. I see signs now that many of us are returning to those roots, with the voluntary simplicity movement and the trends towards wabi-sabi and simplicity in decorating, the wonderful, wonderful abundance of organic foods making their way into our supermarkets even.
But I suppose that is just us California nature lovers. Perhaps its a trend that will spread, though, as many things California tend to do. I hope so, anyway. In nature, the beautiful plumage and the bright flowers are really nature’s way of showing health. In our culture, it becomes a way to hide the reality of who we are and what we really look like. Have a face lift or tummy tuck to change your appearance, but it doesn’t hide what is really inside. If the bee doesn’t find pollen, she doesn’t care how damn pretty the flowers are or how good they smell, she moves on. The peahen might enjoy the show, but if it were just a show, she wouldn’t be impressed. The reality has to be there as well. As much as we might like our Oreos, they aren’t that nutritious or good for us, really. Time to get back to what we really need, in our food, our lives, and ourselves.
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