"The myriads of flowers appear as visitors, a cloud of witnesses to Nature's love . . . Insect swarms are dancing in the sunbeams, burrowing in the ground, diving, swimming, a cloud of witnesses telling Nature's joy."
The Contemplative John Muir, pp. 310-311
Photo: An iridescent green bee-fly gathers pollen on an Indian Blanketflower (Gaillardia) flower; Lory State Park, CO, May 31, 2012. The term "cloud of witnesses" comes from the Bible - Hebrews 12:1 - where St. Paul is referring to the multitudes of holy people who have died, yet who are still present with us in spirit, ready to assist and inspire us. Interestingly, Muir changes the meaning of the term to refer to the spiritual presence of flowers and insects!
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