This showy bush, native to east and southeast Asia, Australia and even Southern North America, is called Callicarpa (aka Beautyberry). A deciduous shrub, it produces these extravagant pink to red-purple (but bitter) berries which the birds will eat, but only towards the end of winter, after every other edible berry has been consumed. Beautyberry is survival food for the birds. Perhaps the key word for us these days might be survival.
The Western State forest fires are not much in the news cycle anymore, but they are so vast and destructive their smoke is seen from outer space. The awfulness is indescribable. What will survive? And the oceans, so overfished and filled instead with disintegrating plastic. What will survive? But there's more, isn't there?
O God,
who provides for the survival of birds,
we pray for that inner survival,
this inner winter —
the survival of goodness,
heart-intelligence,
truth,
kindliness and courtesy —
the survival of
decency,
beauty,
humility and docility —
the survival of
respect,
inclusion,
sobriety and authenticity —
the survival of
modesty,
simplicity,
silence and interiority —
the survival of
awakening,
wonder,
dialogue and community.
the survival of
gentleness,
compassion,
hope and joy.
