the art of seeing

 

 out in the villages

....far beyond the lively zocalos,

nourishment for days on end is scooped from the same

blue speckled enamel pot warming on an open fire.

frijoles con tortillas.

chickens under foot, swept dirt floor, 

a one room casita woven out of reeds.

lattice that welcomes in the moon at night

and frees the swirling smoke from mornings fire, 

white doves

into the quiet air.

 

when a total stranger chances by,

different by language, colour, clothes, religion

there is no hesitation.

bienvenido!

come in, please, are you hungry?

astonishing,

this willingness to share all

of the only food they have. 

how do i know this?

because i have been that passerby,

welcomed in to kneel on an earthen floor.

charmed by hens, chicks and children,

blessed to dip my hand into the common bowl

of humanity.

taught to grind gleaming kernels of corn

into sun gold masa.

 i have,

to the sounds of bright laughter,

fashioned tortillas to lay misshapen on the hot comal

beside the perfect circles of even the youngest of my hosts.

their welcoming, generous inclusion of me and the willingness to share 

ALL of what little they had fills me to this day.

 

some days are for filling an open palm,

offering where you sense a need.

other days are for receiving, allowing the great circle of love

to fill your cup.

wherever our days take us,

may we strengthen our sensitivity to those around us.

may we hear the underlining need beneath the conversation.

may we open our hearts to a higher calling

so in each new moment we are well versed

in the art of seeing

 where we can make a difference.

may we offer comfort, encouragement,

compassion, and peace

as we share

 from the common bowl of humanity.

 

 

in a compassionate world,

there are no strangers.

 

Comments

[noelle]

Such an profoundly moving post, rebecca. Your images and words resonate deeply in my heart. May the circle of love remain unbroken and compassionate hearts continue to open where there is need. As Martin Luther King once said, We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny."
xoxo,
Noelle

[stephanie]

Rebecca...these photographs are beautiful and tell the story as well as your moving words.

You are the conduit...

x..x

[Sue fox]

What powerful images and words, I'm in awe at your never ending abundance!

Love Sue x

[Maria @ LSS]

What a beautiful composition. I love the photos too.

Happy Ruby.

Mine's here.

[deb taylor]

these images are so beautiful, they are so tactile and rich. and your writing is immense with passion...thank you for such a generous heart.

[Hootin' Anni]

Wow...I really enjoyed the post you shared with us!! Great photos.

My RT Link

Hope you can stop by for a visit!

[Nostalgic Marveling]

That's how we cook in the Philippines, at least from the place where I came from.

My Ruby Tuesday

[Spadoman]

It's hard to believe the world you describe exists anymore. Here in the USA, I haven't seen a traveler or passerby in a long time. I know my home would be open as was the one you journeyed to. I know many people who would welcome a stranger.
The simple way of life, might we learn from that?
Winderful post. Thanks.

Peace.

[EG Wow]

Lovely post, Rebecca. We Americans and Canadians can learn so much about life from other cultures. Unfortunately most of us are too caught up in our own culture.

[Paz]

wonderful post. yes, in a compassionate world there are no strangers.

paz

[rochambeau]

Beautiful and compassionate words and photographs to match. It is fascinating to see this same loving kindness also in Guatemala among the indigenous people that have so little yet are will to share what they have. Everything you write about, I agree 100%. We all need one another. Also, sometimes less is more!!
Great post Rebecca!
xox
Constance