healingwords: poetry for the soul

Today I am reminded of the importance of simple things and how this world health crisis is making us rethink what we really need in life. I am grateful for the unconditional love of my family and friends who make my life worth living.

This Echeveria plant was found rather forlorn and forgotten on an upstairs balcony whose swollen doors had stayed shut for some months. The plant is a survivor, able to withstand long periods of drought or neglect. It is now being cared for on the patio where its snaking stems headed with flowerlets show how the plant grew through the iron balcony bars towards the sunlight.  © 2020 Jacqueline Knight Cotterill.  All rights reserved. 

As I can not get out into nature to take my normal photographs I am having to look closer to home. Today the sun broke through after 11 days of cloud hiding the hills and dropping much needed rain on the campo. We all went outside to the patio to see some welcome blue sky and I spotted the light shining on the Echeveria plant. The raindrops nestling in the leaves shone like diamonds, the succulent still showing marks from the hail which fell a few weeks ago. This plant is a survivor, it can withstand long periods without water, it reproduces and grows rapidly as leaves fall and are replaced. They are a common balcony plant in the village where they hang down through the iron bars from curly, gnarled stems.  © 2020 Jacqueline Knight Cotterill.  All rights reserved.  

On my last walk before being stuck indoors 10 days ago I came across an enclosure of goats and kids on a terrace in the 'campo'. They had grazed the ground inside bare and it must have been close to feeding time as they all scampered to the fence to see us, clattering up the wire, poking their heads out as far as possible. The kids were able to get there head and neck out enough to graze the remaining green shoots outside the fence. Some years ago herds of goats and sheep were more commonplace in the countryside, shepherded from field to field and goats milk and cheese was made locally.  I was surprised to see a herd a few weeks ago, spreading out under olive and almond trees, eating the shrubby new growth.  © 2020 Jacqueline Knight Cotterill.  All rights reserved.  

Second day of isolation at home and I am looking out over my roof terrace to the mountains. It is a chill, grey day, clouds hanging over the hills. I have the windows open to let fresh air flow through the house. The air is full of birdsong, I can hear a chain saw but no cars. My son is practising his saxophone, I can not remember the last time he picked up his instrument but he has already thought of things to fill his time. It feels strange, like our little corner of the world is suspended from normal life. We are thinking of what we eat, making sure we do not waste any food, planning ahead.  I like many have complained about the negative impact of social media but in this situation it is an amazing tool. As long as I do not obsess on the news but use it for connecting with my children and grandchildren, sharing a virtual cup of tea, keeping up with my friends, sharing poetry and uplifting posts of flowers and trees. I am enjoying you tube videos of story telling and seeing...

Another windy night in the village as the tail of Storm Jorge whips along the Levante coast. Sleepless nights are a small price as boardings are blown down, trees uprooted and people hurt by falling walls and city damage. More wind is forecast today after which the storm should blow out, until the next weather event.  © 2020 Jacqueline Knight Cotterill.  All rights reserved.  

Today I am struggling with fear as panic spreads with the same ease as infection. Mine is not totally irrational with my vulnerability to lung disease and family members at risk. However fear needs to be controlled and keeping my distance from overcrowded human spaces and retreating to nature seems a good option.  © 2020 Jacqueline Knight Cotterill.  All rights reserved.