Living at the Edge
A Blessing for Those at the Edge -by Alison Davis
Maybe you walked here. Maybe you ran here.
Maybe you followed a trail of stones, of feathers, of flowers, of scents, of sky.
Maybe you went afoot with the Mystery, and so how you got here is also a mystery.
But here is where you are and here is always its own kind of blessing and here at the edge, blessings compound.
Bless those at the edge of the river of their heart, full of promise.
Bless those at the edge of the morning, singing the bright face of day into the blue.
Bless those at the edge of what they know,
watching the old certainties crumble.
Bless those at the edge of doom,
bearing it out, as the famous bard wrote,
with or without the draw of a happy ending.
Bless those at the edge of love
of self, of other, of world,
as the way forward grows more subtle, less sound.
Bless those at the edge of language,
whose tongues and tales and names
are more pledge than guarantee.
Bless those at the edge of believing
a life can be lived at the edge.
My friend Anita sent me this wonderful blessing, and I have reread it many times, recognizing, and identifying with being at, many of these "edges" . Who hasn't been in a place of "watching the old certainties crumble" ... "as the way forward grows more subtle, less sound"?
These words and phrases were circling in my head as I sorted through photos from the last few months, and it struck me that many of my recent images have an "edge" to them! Butterflies balancing on the edges of flowers; Birds on the edge of migration journeys; the physical edges of road and ditch, land and water, light and dark ... what can you see in these "at the edge" photos?
In the garden, Monarchs have been nectaring on Verbena bonariensis, preparing for their long journeys to Mexico. This brand new male sits and ponders a moment before taking flight.
On a particularly hot day in Summer, a House Finch and a female Orchard Oriole took advantage of a slight breeze, high on the outer branches of a Tamarack Tree. They aren't singing or calling; they are panting.
Along a roadside, 2 little Porcupines found what they needed in the gravel. Gotta respect these "edges"!
There were so many Butterflies this Summer, living their vulnerable, fragile little lives...
A tattered American Lady Butterfly, likely enjoying its last days, continued to feed and fly well in spite of everything.
A Viceroy clung to Goldenrod in the sun, having had part of a wing removed, likely by a hungry Bird.
Zinnias, past their prime, on their way to producing seeds, still contained nectar for Pollinators like this Painted Lady. He/she soon disappeared from the garden, and hopefully was able to safely migrate to its southern destination.
Beautiful Milbert's Tortoiseshells (there were 6 one day!) will find a safe spot to hibernate for the Winter in early-mid October. Check out the tiny flower hanging by a thread!
An American Lady sunned itself near the tip of a branch.
A newly-emerged Gray Comma, "living at the edge of the morning", began its life on the flowers of Flat-topped Goldenrod,
and opened its glorious wings in defiance of being called "Gray"!
This photo was taken a few years ago, but ... the hope, hesitancy, and ultimate confidence of Monarchs, living their entire lives "at the edge", is awe-inspiring!
Again, a photo from a few years ago ... a tiny Ruby-crowned Kinglet "at the edge" of freedom after being banded...
In Autumn, Birds gather along the shoreline of Lake Huron, feeding hungrily, and readying themselves for migration. These are Black-bellied Plovers, shy for the most part, but once accustomed to my presence, quite unconcerned.
I used this photo in a post last month, but it is my all-time favourite "at the edge" image. A young Orchard Oriole teeters on the edge of its Robin's nest home (see last month's blog post), summoning up the courage to try its wings.
There is an edge, a place, along the shore of Lake Huron, where I love to be when the sun is setting. With good friends close by, gentle conversation, and the overwhelming beauty of Nature, there is an unwavering assurance that this is an "edge moment" to be embraced and savoured.
As we try to find our balance in the shift of seasons, in the midst of life changes, and in everyday challenges, may we constantly be reminded that
"...here is always its own kind of blessing and here at the edge, blessings compound."
-Merri-Lee
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