It is the end of June. I’m traveling down south towards more and more heat. I’ve come across so many small wonders while traveling: tiny lizards, a green heron, dragonflies hovering, almost suspended on a rivulet of hot air. Early on, I was trained as a poet to look deeply at the small things, to rejoice in the small wonders. When I do this, when I stop and pause and ponder the beauty of small things, I feel much closer to God. I feel him drawing me in to what’s really important. The manmade things are insignificant compared to the natural things made by His hand. The stones, the shells, the rough pattern of bark on trees – all these things hold beauty and time. They will all outlast me. I am here just for a brief time to witness the world in my small way. I am constantly attuned to the little things stirring: the beetle, the butterfly, the inch worm, and the ladybug. I sit and watch them, meditating, slowing my breath, taking in all they have to teach me. I want to learn their ways. I want to be completely in their world even for a moment. When I become them, I become more myself. I become a small creature of God blessed to be in this world and witness His wonders.
Two of my favorite children’s poets are Valerie Worth and David McCord. They both wrote book collections focusing on simple everyday objects and displayed them in a new and interesting ways. This idea of seeing with intention is so interesting to me. It’s the way I create poetry. I am always watching and waiting for the wonder. And each day it comes to me without fail. Just sit still, look around, and find the beauty.
Word Dancer: Literature, the Arts, & Education 
Personifying the ladybug helps us see the small beauties around us. Thanks for sharing your perspective. Safe travels.
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Brilliant advice, Joanne. I agree that taking time to really notice the beauty in nature is keen! Safe travels and loved your poem!
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Joanne, what a beautiful post. I love these lines, which I can relate to, (but want to relate to more and more.) “They will all outlast me. I am here just for a brief time to witness the world in my small way.” and “I become a small creature of God blessed to be in this world and witness His wonders.” Wow, so beautiful! I love the wondering and “wondrous ladybug” of your poem. You make me want to “sit still, look around, and find the beauty” Thanks, Joanne.
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Denise directed me to your post today, though I usually find my way without any added prod even if not always on Tuesday. She found thematic connection. You are talking about small wonders and I point to those giants that will, as you say, outlast us all. The truth is perspective comes in reflection, in appreciation of de-centering ourselves. I love that we appreciate that.
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What a beautiful poem about a wondrous ladybug, Joann! Simple pleasures-simple wonders! 🙂
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Joann, as always, your post lifts the spirit. Like you, I look for and savor the beauty around me, so often in ordinary things (is anything really “ordinary”? I find even the simplest and overlooked to be extraordinary, in the scheme of things…) Love the perspective in the ladybug poem – and how I’d love to see a green heron!
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