Betrayed by the Shadow

It was the shadow that betrayed its presence. Backlighting by the sun created a shadow on the leaf. This Cope's Gray Treefrog was revealed-- hiding in the leaf of a Prince's Feather (Amaranthus sp.) in my native wildflower plot. 

I thought about Shadow & Light in our lives and remembered this beautiful poem by the mystical poet Rumi --

Cope's Gray Treefrog

 Shadow and Light Source Both

How does a part of the world leave the world?
How does wetness leave water?

Don't try to put out fire by throwing on
more fire! Don't wash a wound with blood.

No matter how fast you run, your shadow
keeps up. Sometimes it's in front!

Only full overhead sun diminishes your shadow.
But that shadow has been serving you.

What hurts you, blesses you. Darkness is
your candle. Your boundaries are your quest.

I could explain this, but it will break the
glass cover on your heart, and there's no
fixing that.

You must have shadow and light source both.
Listen, and lay your head under the tree of awe.

When from that tree feathers and wings sprout on you,
be quieter than a dove. Don't even open your mouth for
even a coo.

 Rumi (1207 - 1273)

Frog Dangling in Water: How to Spend a Brutally Hot Day

                                           ©Joni L. James

We have had brutally hot days and uncomfortable nights (as most of the U.S.) the last couple of weeks. It was a small break to receive a brief rain and cloudy skies today. The humidity is still thick. I decided to post this photo as a way to cool down. But . . . with heat indexes of 100-120 degrees, one could be in hot water. (And I mean that literally). Stay cool & safe folks!