postcards from paradise

from the first moment

 scout rolled off the worn pages of my mother's favorite book

i longed  to be called home for dinner, loud

 from a slap-to-attention kitchen screen door, on the bright side of an over-sized kitchen.

a curved hand of affection cupping each syllable, my name 

s t r e t c h i n g out across a welcoming sky

with the perfect resonance of

familiarity.

 

i wanted dirt streets and long warm nights

peppered with fireflies.

where i would grow up with the scent of magnolias,

 sway to the welcome quiet on perfect wooden slats in the lap of atticus.

 

i could listen to his voice forever.

each word strung like perfect tiny lights in

a tree so old, so worn and weathered it would grow 

beyond the narrow 

judgments of any neighborhood.

reaching out

with the long tender-bright strength of shelter.

that in its most secret crevice

it would nest

hearts.

holding close, warming each other, softening every edge life might throw,

until we woke up believing,

we are in this together.

 

how many times did i long for a nickname as perfect as scout,

wish i were brave enough to cut my hair off in a curt bob?  live in worn overalls

bare foot and unabashed, a tight band of friends swimming in a world of endless summers?

when i began to grow into my self,  leave the easy dreams of childhood,

 to trade skinned knees for inevitable punches to the heart...

 i hoped that i would have the substance to be, say,

harriet tubman 

secreting those in need to freedom.

 find within myself the unbiased compassion of mother teresa,

willing to serve those others turn away from in quick revulsion.

live with the resilience of anne frank who would write in face

of the darkest season of hate, 

"despite everything, i believe that people are really good at heart."

 

do you ever wonder if your neighborhood was visited with great tragedy

if you too would have the character

to be one who would,

at great risk 

help others in need?

carry the white hot flame of conviction in the face of great odds?

live a life well lived?

choose peace, offer kindness, walk unabashed under honest skies,

guard down, heart open.

today my postcard from paradise is a family portrait,

comprised of everyone who has ever lived.

i've pinned it to my heart so we never forget.

can you find your place among the many who choose

 to care in small and extraordinary ways about the 

outcome of each other?

yes, yes, a million times yes.

 

Comments

[Kathleen]

Beautiful...The courage to walk the world with an open heart does not come easy. courage to stand and be counted...even more blessed. Not much is black and white in the world...but many shades of gray like the photos you have shared.

[deb taylor]

WOW. Just WOW. I need to read this over and over...and return

[gemma]

Wild horses could not keep me from protecting and standing up for my family. Would I do the same for all in need? In my heart I want to be courageous but I have to be honest and say NO. My prayer is to be there to help in some small way.

[Noelle]

Dearest Rebecca,
This is the most meaningful post that I have read on any blog in a long time, including yours. I love Harper Lee's book, and I remember the courage and conviction of Atticus Finch and his love for his children. This post shows the tenderness of your own heart too and your early desire for love, inclusion and justice in the world, which I am sure came from your father. The courage to stand up to oppression, to risk one's heart, one's worldly goods and even one's life is what our global crisis is calling for in this day and age. I would like to think that I have what it takes. I have always believed that I was meant to do something so much larger than I am currently, and I still feel that there will be a time when I shall. We are living in a time of great tragedy. We simply do not see it in front of us every day. But other people live it on a daily basis and your words are a clarion call for each of us to reach out. For me, the people living in the darkest season of hate are those living in Gaza and the West Bank. Their lives are in the balance right now and anything we as citizens of the world and sisters and brothers in peace can do to help them is an opportunity "to walk unabashed under honest skies and "care in extraordinary ways."
Peace and Light xoxo,
Noelle

[Noelle]

By the way your images are just beautiful, the magnolias are stunning particularly.
xoxox,
Noelle

[Dawn Elliott]

Rebecca,
You write like no one else, sculpting your words in such a way to captivate our souls as we meander with you through your childhood summers...your sweet innocence...that which molded you into the soulful and benevolent woman you are today.

It's too easy to get caught up in today's frenzied world, and to not find the time to care for and connect with others . It's up to each of us as individuals to hold true to cherishing love and light.

Your post is astoundingly beautiful, thank you.

[Ms. Moon]

This is so beautiful, Rebecca. Your words, your pictures, my heart takes them in and knows them as family.
I was just writing about kindness today and how isn't that the core of everything?
I doubt seriously that I could do extraordinary things. That's not my nature. I know it, too. But if we were ALL just kinder, simply that- perhaps we wouldn't need the extraordinary so often.
I love you. YOU are kind. AND extraordinary.

[Sue fox]

I like the last image, the tiniest of petals held delicately by human fingers, we are all capable of caring delicately for each other.

Thank you for leading the way.

Sue x

[Miss Robyn]

Rebecca, you already do that: [teach peace, offer kindness, walk unabashed under honest skies, guard down, heart open?] through your words and kind, caring soul xoxo

[Fran aka Redondowriter]

I second what Dawn has written. You are a superb writer, just one of your several creative gifts. I'm late to the party again. Internet problems today but up and running tonight. This is a big week for you, Rebecca, and I hope your illness goes into hiding while the auction is going on--and forever, for that matter.

[Cheryl]

Rebecca,
You are a gifted and extraordinarily provocative writer. I was sucked in, could feel the sun's kiss on my face and smell the Earth's dry dust of summer. What a treat!

[Elizabeth]

This is an extraordinary post. I will read it over and over.

[Stephanie]

Such beauty in this post, like so many others. We find ourselves stitched together, holding the world together.

Spent yesterday with a dear old friend whose mother passed away...along with many other dear old friends we helped support her through her grief.

much love,
s

[Jenny]

Whoa,your writing talent is blowing my mind right now.I have a similar photo as the one of the woman in front of the house.Odd.

[rochambeau]

Good Morning,
Thank you for your postcard from Paridisio.
The heroines of your life, have created an extra special person, YOU!! Wouldn't Harper Lee be happy to read this? And how about the couple that helped her?
Kindness costs nothing, yet offers a blessing to the receiver and the giver. Kindness makes our world a better place.
Thank you for your compassion, Rebecca!
For taking the time~
Love,
Constance

[Kim Mailhot]

How I love you, rebecca and your sweet, sweet love of life. Thank you for this piece of art today.
Love and light.

[leslie]

"holding close, warming each other, softening every edge life might throw,"

yes. you do. and when we can't, i hope the love of God in us can...

[imperfect prose]

oh, there are so many lines i love... especially the one, peppered with fireflies... and the scent of magnolias... such a gift for the senses, this. beautiful prose, friend.