Similar to Mary Oliver’s quote last Sunday: a walk today shows that life’s experience is a mixture –  cold frost and warm colour. Sheep and goats, as today’s Gospel parable reminds us.

A world of grief and pain, 
Flowers bloom
Even then.

Issa, 1763 –  1828, Japanese Buddhist poet.

Some of his poems reflect his attempts to come to terms with the premature passing of his children.