The first words from my mouth after listening and reading this post, are words I will not share verbatim (and I did, indeed voice them aloud). Mainly because the first was a rather strong expletive that escaped unbidden and might be misinterpreted negatively, when it was anything but. My vocabulary in that moment was not sufficient to express how utterly astounded I am, each time I read your words Chloe. These are sacred incantations arriving each fortnight where I worship at the feet of Death, and Birds, and Life and Love. I exited organised religion in my early twenties, never to return, but I do wonder whether here, in this place, we might organise our own religion, where Gloria might be our great teacher.
Many years ago, we (my husband and I) adopted chickens, including a beautiful, affectionate hen called Ginger. She would flap up onto our laps when we sat in the garden, lauding her status over the other hens, enjoying neck scratches and rewarding us with her purring (honestly no idea what to call that noise they make that you can feel reverberating through their slight bodies). I had forgotten, but Gloria has reminded me. Thank you always for your beautiful words x
Dear Emily, without even knowing it happened, I fear that same expletive may just have fallen from my own lips at the end of this... this what, incantation, bewitchment? I can no longer tell so enchanted I am by the end... every two weeks, and again in between those when I need to be charmed into that place again... ✨
Well I am in wonderful company with me language, then, dear Susie! Incantation and bewitchment are perfect descriptors, Chloe is some kind of sorceress, I think 💕
Emily, you are far too kind but I’m a big fan of expletives so I’m happy to know this elicited one. Gloria would certainly make an interesting religious leader, though I have some concerns around what might happen if all the attention went to that beautiful head of hers…x
reading your description of Gloria, running towards you, wings flapping, spreading joy and excitement, I am reminded of our grandchildren, with whom we spent the past week in the Algarve. You are absolutely right ~ "To elicit genuine, joyful enthusiasm in another simply by being...." is truly a blessing.
I’m not sure how I began following this Substack, its as if I was invisibly guided to it. I am so grateful. Death is a big preoccupation of mine and your beautiful writing is incredibly soothing. Thank you also for the reverence you hold for birds. A European Woodpecker spent some time pecking the grass in my garden yesterday and I stared in wonder. Part of that is thanks to you. 🙏♥️
Oh, I’m happy to know it. We have a European Woodpecker who frequents our garden, he’s a master of disguise but once you’ve spotted him that’s it, you can’t look away! ❤️
I listened to this one rather than reading it, refreshing in my mind the cadence of your voice. Exquisite. As always. And yes, you will be welcomed with open arms by all those who precede you. While all of us left behind mourn. Take care dear soul. Thank you so much for the time you share with us each week.
I love that you always have the perfect words for what I carry in my heart. This tracks, absolutely: “Perhaps love is more a current into which one falls, a current which flows in, around and through us. Perhaps it has no end because it is a foundational piece of this universal dance.” 💛
We owe such a debt towards the beings with whom we share this world. Yes! Every word of this post was entrancing but, for me, that was the stand out line. Thank you!
Like many perhaps, I “subscribe” to way too many Substack feeds. Yours is by far the one I anticipate the most and read first off as soon as I can after you make it available. Thank you sincerely for sharing your thoughts and wisdom. I carry them for days after each reading. 🙏
Chloe, your beautiful, wise words have left me feeling deeply moved and humbled this morning. I love the way you intertwine storytelling with rich reflections on life, love, birds and death. I always read and listen, you have one of those voices that captivates me completely. Thank you so much for sharing something so luminous; it truly feels like a gift. It really does!
Dear Chloe, I was just writing - belatedly again - a few words of my own fiercely determined, stubborn and intelligent, woolly love Milly. She was not rescued as such but grateful for her change of circumstances which were too harsh for her sensitive nature.
Your profoundly perceptive love of all beings with hearts beating still or otherwise leaves me speechless in awe and gratitude that such depth of understanding still exists in this world... Thank you from my momentarily stilled and silenced heart.
I am intently listening, with eyes wide open, forever your student. Always a work in progress, as you are well aware, and so lovingly patient with me. So the first law of thermodynamics is more than energy ? It is love that carries all the forces of the universe ? Once again, you have opened your arms, your heart, my mind. And in the end, or the next beginning, you my dear friend , have gifted me a silent invitation ,a great unfolding. Someday, I will awkwardly follow, arms stretched ever higher towards the last runway of life. Then, lift off ! Exploding into wings and becoming pure love. I am ok with that. And for her part, please thank Gloria for me. Give her a nice fat worm, and sing a chorus, “Gloria in Egg-shell-sis Deo”. I can hear the orchestra and I’m humming along. “When it is time for me to die, I hope to honour my friend by finding it within myself to run, joyfully, wings flapping, towards whatever it is that comes next “. Me too.
As a fellow work-in-progress, the pleasure is all mine. Thank you for making the currents so obvious to me. Gloria sends love. I asked if she’d send a worm, but she just walked away. Didn’t even answer. She was totally non-plussed by The Gloria Nebula, too, so thank you for noticing! ♥️
Dear, dear Claire. I have been so moved by your words that it has taken me a long time to respond. I am at a time of life when there are more shadows, not from lack of light, but from the uncertainty that frames each day with surprise and grief. Even so, there is always joy for I am learning the secrets you so eloquently express. Blessings to you dear troubadour of life.
Leslie, you can take as long as you like. Meeting uncertainty and grief with a willingness to learn is a courageous and wonderful thing. Blessings to you, your shadows, your grief and your joy.
The first words from my mouth after listening and reading this post, are words I will not share verbatim (and I did, indeed voice them aloud). Mainly because the first was a rather strong expletive that escaped unbidden and might be misinterpreted negatively, when it was anything but. My vocabulary in that moment was not sufficient to express how utterly astounded I am, each time I read your words Chloe. These are sacred incantations arriving each fortnight where I worship at the feet of Death, and Birds, and Life and Love. I exited organised religion in my early twenties, never to return, but I do wonder whether here, in this place, we might organise our own religion, where Gloria might be our great teacher.
Many years ago, we (my husband and I) adopted chickens, including a beautiful, affectionate hen called Ginger. She would flap up onto our laps when we sat in the garden, lauding her status over the other hens, enjoying neck scratches and rewarding us with her purring (honestly no idea what to call that noise they make that you can feel reverberating through their slight bodies). I had forgotten, but Gloria has reminded me. Thank you always for your beautiful words x
Dear Emily, without even knowing it happened, I fear that same expletive may just have fallen from my own lips at the end of this... this what, incantation, bewitchment? I can no longer tell so enchanted I am by the end... every two weeks, and again in between those when I need to be charmed into that place again... ✨
Well I am in wonderful company with me language, then, dear Susie! Incantation and bewitchment are perfect descriptors, Chloe is some kind of sorceress, I think 💕
Emily, you are far too kind but I’m a big fan of expletives so I’m happy to know this elicited one. Gloria would certainly make an interesting religious leader, though I have some concerns around what might happen if all the attention went to that beautiful head of hers…x
Perhaps offerings of juicy worms and corn would be enough to keep her happy!
reading your description of Gloria, running towards you, wings flapping, spreading joy and excitement, I am reminded of our grandchildren, with whom we spent the past week in the Algarve. You are absolutely right ~ "To elicit genuine, joyful enthusiasm in another simply by being...." is truly a blessing.
Truly. And yes, no word, phrase or metaphor could capture the feeling of being charged towards by my five-year-old niece.
I’m not sure how I began following this Substack, its as if I was invisibly guided to it. I am so grateful. Death is a big preoccupation of mine and your beautiful writing is incredibly soothing. Thank you also for the reverence you hold for birds. A European Woodpecker spent some time pecking the grass in my garden yesterday and I stared in wonder. Part of that is thanks to you. 🙏♥️
Oh, I’m happy to know it. We have a European Woodpecker who frequents our garden, he’s a master of disguise but once you’ve spotted him that’s it, you can’t look away! ❤️
Oh to be Gloria and to have someone write this beautifully about me.
Abiola! Thank you. This is especially nice because Gloria is totally indifferent towards my writing.
I listened to this one rather than reading it, refreshing in my mind the cadence of your voice. Exquisite. As always. And yes, you will be welcomed with open arms by all those who precede you. While all of us left behind mourn. Take care dear soul. Thank you so much for the time you share with us each week.
Oh, I do so hope, Beth. Thank you, dear one.
I love that you always have the perfect words for what I carry in my heart. This tracks, absolutely: “Perhaps love is more a current into which one falls, a current which flows in, around and through us. Perhaps it has no end because it is a foundational piece of this universal dance.” 💛
So glad to know we share these musings, Julie 💛
Lovely. Truly lovely.
This: 'Perhaps love is more a current into which one falls, a current which flows in, around and through us.' Thank you.
Thank you, Roselle
We owe such a debt towards the beings with whom we share this world. Yes! Every word of this post was entrancing but, for me, that was the stand out line. Thank you!
Thank you, Emma!
Like many perhaps, I “subscribe” to way too many Substack feeds. Yours is by far the one I anticipate the most and read first off as soon as I can after you make it available. Thank you sincerely for sharing your thoughts and wisdom. I carry them for days after each reading. 🙏
Ah, Doc, the over-subscription is real, and it means a lot to know that Death & Birds makes the cut. Thank you.
Same here!
Thank you Chloe, for this beautiful, inspiring, gracious elegy. I too was awestruck by your writing! 💕
Sandy, biggest thanks, my friend! I hope spring is treating you well 💗
Chloe, your beautiful, wise words have left me feeling deeply moved and humbled this morning. I love the way you intertwine storytelling with rich reflections on life, love, birds and death. I always read and listen, you have one of those voices that captivates me completely. Thank you so much for sharing something so luminous; it truly feels like a gift. It really does!
Deborah, thank you so much for reading. I’m so happy it landed as a gift.
Dear Chloe, I was just writing - belatedly again - a few words of my own fiercely determined, stubborn and intelligent, woolly love Milly. She was not rescued as such but grateful for her change of circumstances which were too harsh for her sensitive nature.
Your profoundly perceptive love of all beings with hearts beating still or otherwise leaves me speechless in awe and gratitude that such depth of understanding still exists in this world... Thank you from my momentarily stilled and silenced heart.
Oh, sweet, sensitive Milly. So grateful to you for loving her as you do, dear Susie. And for being stilled!
I am intently listening, with eyes wide open, forever your student. Always a work in progress, as you are well aware, and so lovingly patient with me. So the first law of thermodynamics is more than energy ? It is love that carries all the forces of the universe ? Once again, you have opened your arms, your heart, my mind. And in the end, or the next beginning, you my dear friend , have gifted me a silent invitation ,a great unfolding. Someday, I will awkwardly follow, arms stretched ever higher towards the last runway of life. Then, lift off ! Exploding into wings and becoming pure love. I am ok with that. And for her part, please thank Gloria for me. Give her a nice fat worm, and sing a chorus, “Gloria in Egg-shell-sis Deo”. I can hear the orchestra and I’m humming along. “When it is time for me to die, I hope to honour my friend by finding it within myself to run, joyfully, wings flapping, towards whatever it is that comes next “. Me too.
(I absolutely love The Gloria Nebula!)
As a fellow work-in-progress, the pleasure is all mine. Thank you for making the currents so obvious to me. Gloria sends love. I asked if she’d send a worm, but she just walked away. Didn’t even answer. She was totally non-plussed by The Gloria Nebula, too, so thank you for noticing! ♥️
She is quite the arrogant chicken isn’t she. Maybe if you sing my tune to her ;
‘Gloria in the sky with diamonds’💍 ✨🐓🎶♥️
Wonderful post! Your writing is so poetically philosophical about subjects that I hold dear. Thank you.
Thank you, Jules!
loved it
thank you, ephe!
Dear, dear Claire. I have been so moved by your words that it has taken me a long time to respond. I am at a time of life when there are more shadows, not from lack of light, but from the uncertainty that frames each day with surprise and grief. Even so, there is always joy for I am learning the secrets you so eloquently express. Blessings to you dear troubadour of life.
Sometimes we just need a hug. Sending a hug from over here 🤗
Leslie, you can take as long as you like. Meeting uncertainty and grief with a willingness to learn is a courageous and wonderful thing. Blessings to you, your shadows, your grief and your joy.