Flowers and a Sonnet

Most people in NYC are always in a rush getting from point A to point B that they never really pay attention to their surroundings and what nature has blessed us with.  I am a very visual person, so anywhere I am I am always in the lookout for anything that inspires me. I found these beautiful flowers on the Upper West Side hiding between some gates and luckily I was carrying my camera and was able to capture the beauty of them. I would love for you to take this weekend to really look around to what surrounds you and see the beauty of it all, take a deep breath, and be thankful for it all. 

Last but not least, as the hopeless cheesy romantic person that I am, leave you with one of my favorites sonnets by Pablo Neruda.  

Sonnet XVII

I do not love you

 as if you were salt-rose, or topaz,

or the arrow of carnations the fire shoots off.

I love you as certain dark things are to be loved,

in secret, between the shadow and the soul.

I love you as the plant that never blooms

but carries in itself the light of hidden flowers;

thanks to your love a certain solid fragrance,

risen from the earth, lives darkly in my body.

I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.

I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride;

so I love you because I know no other way

than this: where I does not exist, nor you,

so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,

so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep. 

Have a great weekend,

xoxo

Maurenice