Tis so much joy! Tis so much joy!

The last few days have been my favorite sort of days.

The sun has been shining. 

I have been working in and enjoying my garden immensely, especially the flowers of the sage bush that I planted last year. While it has brought me much joy over the last week or so, and I am a little sad to see the blooms die, I know the new blooms on new flowers are coming right along.

I have spent good, meaningful time with my family this week. 

I have seen a great deal of my friends. 

I have created art. 

I have taken very long walks with a good friend and short bike rides with my son.

I have taken naps, and I have caught up on work related tasks.

I have read many stories, both to myself and to my child.

I have eaten strawberries fresh from the garden.

I have dug into the earth with my hands.

I have called my grandmother.

It is amazing to me how sometimes, life seems so overwhelming ~ as if there isn't possibly time for everything, but at other times it seems just full and oh so fruitful, and there is truly time for everything that we desire.

I have been having quite the love affair with poetry again, spending my evenings with Dorothy Parker, Edna St. Vincent Millay, and my first poetry love ~ Emily Dickinson.  About a month ago I came across this poem by Emily Dickinson- and I have felt the desire to return to it again and again, and I think- I just may have new poem to love. As is often the case with what it is that I like, the theme is simple and familiar - but no less profound.

#IV: Life

Tis so much joy! Tis so much joy!

If I should fail, what poverty!

And yet, as poor as I

Have ventured all upon a throw;

Have gained! Yes! Hesitated so

This side of victory!

Life is but life, and death but death!

Bliss is but bliss, and breath but breath!

And if, indeed, I fail,

At least to know the worst is sweet.

Defeat means nothing but defeat,

No drearier can prevail!

And if I gain, -- oh gun at sea,

Oh, bells that in the steeples be,

At first repeat it slow!

For heaven is a different thing

Conjectured, and waked sudden in,

And might o'erwhelm me so!

And speaking of bliss being but bliss, does this not look like a young person in a state of pure, unmitigated bliss? Life is good indeed.