Articles by Olivia O'Keeffe

Garden Bliss in Spring

Chop, chop, goes the blade as I bravely and vigorously chop back the long and strong buddleia branches that tower over me. Reducing these godly limbs to fit the compost is some fete, pausing as I go to save the best, minus their side shoots, with the intent of giving them a new purpose as stalking stakes to support the weight of next Summer’s heavy harvest.

Part of me wonders yearly if I’m not being too hard in this sharp pruning of this butterfly bush, but experience reminds me how giant-like this fervent grower will become by mid-Summer, as it will inevitably attempt to overthrow its’ more delicate neighbouring plants, even encroaching quite profusely into the sitting area, where Summer guests often duck and twist to avoid being prodded by its’ protruding purple blossom.

Like the bees and the butterflies, I too want to be out where the sun shines. In early Spring, only the far end of the garden gets touched by the sun, resulting in me focusing my attention mainly there too, until day by day, the sun slowly touches more corners of the garden, bringing with it light and warmth and waking both the plants and me out of our Winter slumber.

Like a pig in mud, I feel as I slowly help the garden to strip back its Winter jacket and prepare the soil for a new season’s growth. I dig deep into the all but forgotten compost heap, to stir up and fork over, in the hope of finding luscious dark black soil at the bottom. And yes, under the recently added tops layers of clippings, is indeed a soil so rich the birds sing its praises. There’s something hugely satisfying about this transformed new earth coming from the regular additions of garden and kitchen waste, reminding me how miraculous the earth is in transforming. While the rich new earth readies itself to feed new growth and this wonderous cycle continues.

The dried out remains of last year’s growth stand pale and crisp, like skeletons of their former selves, as I strain to remember what they looked like in the prime of their time. Chop, chop, goes the blade as I remove these dried forms, with the hope that this drastic clear up that underground the magic of new growth is unfolding, soon to peak its infant heads through the bared earth. And as the season progresses that I will be reacquainted with old flowering friends, who survived the Winter slumbers and have returned to bring joy and bliss to all.

And while I wait in anticipation for the sign of new growth, I can pause in reflection of last years’ garden successes and failures and return to the dream board, browsing for ideas and inspiration with how this year’s garden will be different from the last, knowing the beloved garden never stays still, requiring regular modifications, nurturing and above all love and attention. And so the time has come to embrace a new season of growth and wonder and garden bliss in Spring.

February 2021

Olivia O’Keeffe

Breath – A New Begin

Each breath in can be a new begin. Each breath out, a chance to release and surrender. In…deep and slow, joyous lungs expanding and exhilarated, encompassing life itself. Pausing at the top when full to the brim, like a wave just before collapsing in a glorious thundering splash. So too the contracting chest releases in free flow allowing us to completely let go.

Each breath in can be a new begin. Each breath out, a chance to release and surrender. With each new breath possibilities seem endless, followed by each exhalation directing us back to right now. And the slight pause between breaths when all air has been released. A precious moment of stillness, powerful in its non-description before being overtaken by a fresh new gulp of air, full of new opportunities.

Each breath in can be a new begin. Each breath out, a chance to release and surrender. Our breath as natural and rhythmic as the waves ebbing in and out. This miracle life-giver pumping so seamlessly, its wonder overlooked. While our breaths though plentiful remain numbered and more precious than we can comprehend, until our last breath draws near.

The breath, in and out, so simple yet so invaluable. What shall we do when the last breath sounds? What can we now do to make each breath count? Each breath in can be a new begin. Each breath out, a chance to release and surrender.

January 2021

Olivia O’Keeffe

(Accompanying photo’s were taken recently during my Winter walks in the Dutch landscape.)

Exhibition of paintings from 2020

My duo exhibition  together with nature photographer Rob de Groot  has kicked off in Theater aan de Slinger, Houten The Netherlands.

Exhibition runs until January 6th 2021.  The theatre is open weekdays during office hours and in the weekend and evening when a show or film is planned.

The exhibition consists of 11 paintings of Houten, painted outdoors on the spot and also my whole collection of 2020 abstract paintings. Be sure to check out the exhibition space which continues on the second floor of the theatre.

 

November Ponderings

 

A blanket of warm words both enveloping and soothing

Pain-filled pockets of old wounds passed down from generation,

Arms and legs wrapped tightly around the thinnest peak of the tallest tree,

Heart pounding, tensed muscles aching, body swaying gently on the breeze of hope,

Suspended on a thin life-wire, connecting all that is and ever was.

 

Ever-fluctuating time, suddenly fusing the many layers of existence,

In a mere flash, the wholeness and inter-dependency of our being,

Revealed and understood, if only just for a moment.

The wisdom once ever-present, contained in a nutshell,

Eroding now and fading before us while we busy ourselves with hot air.

 

Returning to the womb for warmth and protection,

Detracting the claws of persistence,

Unwinding and retreating underground to a state of inner quiet.

A thick mulch of rotting ways decomposes on the surface,

Awaiting to nourish when we are ready to receive and grow towards the light.

 

But for now, we seek comfort in the dark edges of the soul,

Wallowing within the depths of our own entangled jungle.

 

Olivia O’Keeffe

November 2020

 

 

The Whispers of our Ancestors

Stoop to hear the whispers being carried on the wings of a flickering flame,

Soar to joyous heights of a heart open to receive,

Kneel in adoration at the awe-inspiring detail of a single rose,

Raise up your defiant head against the destructive tide of envy and corruption,

Stand tall in the promise of a life worth living,

Confident in your task of giving.

Shine bright in your inner glow to share and be a beacon in the night,

Trust and launch your might at your darkest fears shape-shifting,

Be steadfast in the knowledge that hope no matter what is everywhere,

Scream out if you dare to feel alive,

This land is both full of ecstasy and of our ancestor’s ancient cries,

Go now and melt into the existence of who and what we are,

Longing to be reunited with our inner tribe.

 

November 2020

Olivia O’Keeffe