Pause . . . and Smell the Irises

Have you ever smelled irises? Roses are a hit, they're all the rage, but irises . . . holy moly . . . They're incredible.

What I tried to capture in these photos was a mere fraction of the beauty they contain.

They're iridescent and glowing, with soft tufts in the middle, like a fuzzy tongue. And each color has a different scent! So exquisite. I won't spoil the surprise for you... just go on a treasure hunt to see how many different varieties you can find and smell. The Mapleton Hill area of Boulder and the Denver Botanic Gardens are a couple good places to find some.

Enjoy!

---

Plants have something to contribute to us, more than just a glance from a distance.

What can you receive from plants today? What joy, delight, sensory pleasure can you receive from the natural world around you? I'd be happy to hear your discoveries. Let these be a resource to you - take a moment just to feel your whole body as you appreciate something in nature. It could be the song of birds, the rustling of trees, the bright, sparkly petals of irises, the scent of any number of flowers or other plants, the feeling of a cool creek on your feet. What feels resourcing to you today? What elements in the natural world want to support you today?

---

Blue Iris
by Mary Oliver

Now that I'm free to be myself, who am I?

Can't fly, can't run, and see how slowly I walk.

Well, I think, I can read books.

  .  .  .  "What's that you're doing?"
the green-headed fly shouts as it buzzes past.

I close the book.

Well, I can write down words, like these, softly.

"What's that you're doing?" whispers the wind, pausing
in a heap just outside the window.

Give me a little time, I say back to its staring, silver face.
It doesn't happen all of a sudden, you know.

"Doesn't it?" says the wind, and breaks open, releasing
distillation of blue iris.

And my heart panics not to be, as I long to be,
the empty, waiting, pure, speechless receptacle.