This is a lichen. It is an incredibly unique organism because it is in fact two organisms living together, providing each other benefits. The constituent parts are fungi and algae (or cyanobacteria). The compound organism has properties that neither part display on their own, and that is really cool.

I have written text to this prompt and deleted it a few times. The first few drafts were overly technical examinations of Lichens as a hybrid unit, and the last few drafts were rants about the beauty of adaptation and symbiosis. But both of those still felt underwhelming and hollow, like I was missing the point of my own picture and I am having a hard time deciding why. For all the merits of the humble lichen, for all the incredible evolutionary adaptations, I am starting to think the beautiful thing about this image is the fact that I walk past this exact thing every day, and I have done so for years without ever looking at it.

This is a fencepost on the north side of my property, it functions as a gatepost barring unwanted horses and kiddos from entering my barn area. As I walk to and past this post, my mind is always somewhere else. I am overly concerned with my dinner options, or I am arguing with fake offenders (totally crushing their points and gaining huge imaginary praise, as per usual). I unlock the gate’s crude latch and push it open with my shoulder, my face coming within inches of this exact image; my mind racing with life’s worries.

How intricate this organism that evades me. The irony of considering myself sensitive to beauty and in tune with its whispers, but rarely seeing it all around me. This marvel of evolution blooming before me as magnificent as any flower, dwarfing the complexities of the hullabaloo that occupies my mind. I spend hours trying to find beauty and capture it, but it is always right here. It is always in front of me.

I’m trying my best to notice these things, but I don’t know how to force myself to be more observant. Also, all of the imaginary fights in my head aren’t going to win themselves and I need to decide what sounds good for dinner.