For the author as for God, standing outwith his creation…
““For the author as for God, standing outwith his creation, all times are one; all times are now. In mine own country, we accept as due and right – as very meet, right, and our bounden duty – the downs and their orchids and butterflies, the woods and coppices, ash, beech, oak, and field maple, rowan, wild cherry, holly, and hazel, bluebells in their season and willow, alder, and poplar in the wetter ground. We accept as proper and unremarkable the badger and the squirrel, the roe deer and the rabbit, the fox and the pheasant, as the companions of our walks and days. We remark with pleasure, yet take as granted, the hedgerow and the garden, the riot of snowdrops, primroses, and cowslips, the bright flash of kingfishers, the dart of swallows and the peaceful homeliness of house martins, the soft nocturnal glimmer of glow worm and the silent nocturnal swoop of owl.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The poet celebrates the timeless unity of creation, observing the ordinary flora and fauna as integral parts of a larger, sacred whole.
In simple terms: Nature’s everyday details reveal a deeper, timeless connection.
Observe and honor the natural world.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- hiking
- gardening
- birdwatching
- environmental education
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you notice the small wonders around you?
- What does “all times are now” mean to you?
Modern life can distract from noticing subtle natural wonders.