prologue
after work
i'm inclined to sit
or even nap
but i cannot resist
this beautiful afternoon
the first day of spring
*****
cell phone/nature poem for the
first day of spring
walking down the hill
through the forest
toward the river
mid-march and
i'm mesmerized by
everything-is-brown
mud beneath my feet
decaying oak leaves
intertwining branches
of standing and fallen
trees and shrubs
the greenish-brown
flow of the river
all browns against the
bright blue sky
i default to
the-modern-trap
taking photographs
i stop and consider
my willingness
to let technology
intrude on my walk
to look at things
through a phone/camera
but I want to
remember the
seemingly stoic seagull
being pulled nonchalantly
by the swift river current
she does not seem to mind
so i start
tapping out
notes & phrases
on my phone
it is a contradiction
i am aware
of contradictions
i am full of them
but still
what i hear is…
crows caw-caw-cawing
trees creaking as
they bend with the wind
the unmistakable sound
of a woodpecker
the bark of a dog
from somewhere above
i leave the main path
drawing closer to
the soothing sound
of the river flowing and
bubbling briskly
over large stones
i stand among
dried out grasses
cool hands
breeze on my cheeks
hair blowing
i look around me
and across the river
i am alone
i sit down and just
listen to the water
close my eyes
in the wild beauty
of this wonderful
and ordinary place
when i stand up
and turn to walk
back to the main path
i am surprised to see a
young man fishing
on the same side
of the river
and not too far away
returning to the path
there is a makeshift
walkway boardwalk
covering muddy areas
my fluorescent-hued
running shoes
discordant on the planks
another contradiction
my colorful feet
squishing in the muddy path
crunching on dead leaves or
wood chips or gravel paths
as i finish my walk
i spot across the river
a possible kindred spirit
she stands still
watching the river
i walk up to
the park above where
people walk dogs
young men occupy
the basketball courts
a couple of families
enjoy the playground
i am grateful
for the gifts of
the sunshine and the warmth
the beauty and the life
of this afternoon
the first day of spring
*****
epilogue
I’ve been feeling a bit sorry for
myself lately (and envious) as I hear about people’s warm weather or exotic
or exciting vacations. When I start feeling sorry for myself, it's always a sign that I’ve not been
appreciating enough the ordinary gifts of life and, in fact, the gift of life
itself.
An article my cousin sent me
yesterday (thanks, Lori) was a good reminder and inspired this post as well.
See that article here: How to Live life with Fantastic Aliveness:Remembering Amy Krouse Rosenthal.
