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Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Little Creatures

Last week when I brought some plants indoors for the
cold months, this little shell fell out onto my kitchen
counter. Isn't it just so perfect and tiny? I wonder
what little snail lived inside it!
Considering The Snail
The snail pushes through a green
night, for the grass is heavy
with water and meets over
the bright path he makes, where rain
has darkened the earth's dark. He
moves in a wood of desire,
pale antlers barely stirring
as he hunts. I cannot tell
what power is at work, drenched there
with purpose, knowing nothing.
What is a snail's fury? All
I think is that if later
I parted the blades above
the tunnel and saw the thin
trail of broken white across
litter, I would never have
imagined the slow passion
to that deliberate progress.
~~Thom Gunn

23 comments:

  1. I had to read that poem slow! haha!

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  2. Nature is a wonder, isn't it? Such a small life inside that little shell.

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  3. Otin ~ at a snail's pace, huh?! ;)

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  4. that is definitely the smallest snail shell i've ever seen. when my kids were young we created a terrarium snail farm in a big glass jar. we put the jar on its side and then put dirt, miss sticks and small plants inside. we collected shells in the woods and what fun it was to watch the snails move around. we had it about 9 months before all the snails died off.

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  5. What a delightful little shell, and I wonder where the occupant went ?
    So precious !

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  6. My little brother Sam used to be facinated with slugs and snails as a little boy. He may still love this post! :)

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  7. Perfect little shell and the poem has such meaning. Sometimes our progress is so slow we wonder if we're making any at all. Thanks for this tiny little visual aid to a good message.

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  8. The image, the poem and the story fit together wonderfully.

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  9. I love snails, so much perseverance.;)
    I have those shells too in my garden, I wonder too what kind of snails they are or if they are classified as an entirely different species as I find them in humid places mostly.;)
    xo

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  10. Isn't that the tiniest thing? SOMEONE out there would know all about this tiny little creature!

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  11. Julie ~ I think terrariums are fascinating! I've never had one though...would be fun!

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  12. too cool. there are such small wonders that we rarely see. loved the verse as well.

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  13. Hi there! Just reminded me I need to work on my plants before it starts getting cold here. Thanks~

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  14. Came by to have a slice of that wheat bread! Looks yummy up on your blog. Mmmmm

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  15. What a fabulous post!!! Thank you for sharing this beautiful shell, and the wonderful words of Thom Gunn!!!! Absolutely gorgeous!! What delight in the little things! Thanks for the reminder! I'll be reveling in the little things because of you today!!! ~Janine XO

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  16. Betsy, I love the perspective you bring to life. It is always a pleasure to visit you!

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  17. Life is so fragile, but so amazingly complex as well.

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  18. How precious are the tiny things in God's Big Creation!

    I'm reminded of Ethel Water's singin His eye is on the sparrow, and I know we watches me.

    Don't you know if His eye is on the sparrow and the tiny snail.... He is watching me and you.

    Your posts always bring me a smile and joy.

    Loving you
    Wanda

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