Nature’s Symphony

As I nestle under a huge pine, I watch the dimming light of the day.

The colors slowly disappear while the shades of the evening welcome the night.

Shadows dance across the trees as the light fades, declaring the changing of the guard.

The crescent moon is peeking through the canopy of the tall pine while bright stars shimmer and loudly announce their entrance as the evening unfolds.

I close my eyes mapping the beauty above me, then open them quickly afraid to miss anything.

There’s a soft rustle of leaves as something snuggles in for the night while the hooting of an owl lets me know life is close by.

I perform my own gentle ballet settling into the soft underbrush.

The gentle sound of water plays like a lullaby as stars twinkle in harmony.

Croaking male frogs assert their domain, calling for a mate in nature’s game.

The moon now peers above the treetop, brightening the sky for all to see.

The evening’s entertainment reveals an amazing light show coupled with the natural rhythm of sounds.

I notice the gentle competition between sound and light when nature’s symphony challenges my senses with the fragrance of the forest.

I take in a deep cleansing breath as moss, pine needles, and damp earth call out to me.

The perfume of flora melds together to create a potpourri for the senses.

The aroma of the evening adds to an orchestra already in full performance; building to a crescendo where everything is connected and becomes one.

Do You Feel Music

Do you feel
music in
your soul?

Do you breathe
with the beat—
your body loosening
as the music fades?

Does the music
catch in
your throat?

Do your eyes dance
with the melody—
your tears streaming
in harmony?

Do your shoulders lift
with the crescendo,
then fall
as the music
settles in diminuendo?

Can the music
erase the weight
of your day?

Can it calm
your mind
so you can sleep?

Does it mend
your heart
with one true song?

Does music
still
your soul?

Stillness in Grazing

big, fluffy, white tails
leap
across the field

grazing for food,
new growth is
found

forest sounds
make ears
stand
tall

suddenly
they retreat
in safety

temperatures drop
drawing them
towards the
valley

at dawn,
they return
to graze for
food

The Lightkeeper

Days of silence
felt natural
to the lightkeeper

Responsibilities of keeping
the lighthouse working
were a constant challenge

Daily upkeep was a full time job,
while repairs ensured long days

Hard work was welcomed
by the lightkeeper as it
created a feeling
of happiness and security

Poor weather reinforced
his feeling of importance
While clear weather could bring
up feelings of uselessness

But the lightkeeper never wavered.

His lighthouse was kept to perfection –
sparkling,
shiny,
clear.

Brass so shiny
that you could almost see
your reflection in it

Glass so clear,
that the panes appeared empty,
as if waiting for the glassmaker
to come install glass panels

A wick kept trimmed at all times,
standing on guard
for the first sign of need

Lives depended on
the constant dance
between the lightkeeper
and the wick

Walking up the spiral staircase
produced strong feelings –
Memories of times past

Photos of happy families
who once provided protection
They laid claim to the wall
Never to be forgotten

Children taking first steps
and playing on the shoal
reminded us
that lives saved here
also began here

Isolation can be difficult to endure,
a small cottage built nearby
bridged loneliness
and togetherness
for families

Welcomed seabirds
Stopping for rest
Perform their melody

A musical interlude
brings joy to the day –
A safe place for rest

Bad weather beckoned
the lightkeeper to stay close,
as an ever watchful eye
would jump from wick to sea

In days long past,
an imposing storm rolled in
Leaving the daytime sky
As dark as night,
with waves relentlessly
pounding the rocks.

The waves, so high and heavy,
they rolled right over the huge rocks
onto the shoal,
like the rocks were tiny pebbles.

Before long,
the shoal was flooded
making it look
like the lighthouse
was floating in the sea.

The rain pelted the glass
with such force,
it created fear
glass would break,
Allowing rain to overtake
the lantern.

The whitewashed lighthouse
invisible in the storm;
flashes of lightning
illuminated the structure
momentarily bringing the
lighthouse back to us

Day and night
raged on
The lightkeeper
remained on duty,
keeping the lamplight bright.

As the storm died
and the waters receded,
the hurried anxiety
of the day lessened

But the night was young
and the lamp had to remain lit

The lightkeeper knew
he wasn’t alone.

In the stillness
that swallowed the night,
he knew he had generations
of lightkeepers at his side.

He could feel their presence.
He knew they would
never let him down,
and he would never
let them down.

Sea Tree

The buoy bobs both up and down
It has a bell heard all around
Its duty is to guard the sea
But osprey see a floating tree

The bell clangs loud for all to hear
Its message sent both loud and clear
For the osprey, it is their home
It keeps them near, no need to roam

From a distance it seems quite small
When actually it’s broad and tall
Its size is right to hold a nest
Since ospreys use whatever’s best

We hope to see some chicks real soon
Whether at night or at high noon
We’ll watch them grow and learn to fly
Out of their nest, they’ll fly sky high

Yes, ospreys call the buoy home
The family grown, no need to roam
They’ll dive for fish to stay well fed
While the bell still rings just overhead

Unkept Time

time stopped
ticking clocks
fell silent

digital clocks
illuminated
meaningless numbers

sundial shadows
frozen in place
marked the
echoes of time

time unkept
marches
forward

clouds float
across the sky

wind blows
through the trees

swings move
back and forth

routine directs
our march
through life

businesses close
the day is
done

family time
with stories
shared

welcomed sleep
calls our
name

heartbeats
measure
time
gone by

The Tree That Listens

I listen.
Yes, I listen.

The first conversation
I recall listening to
was about me

— “now make sure you choose just the right place to plant it. It will grow big and strong and it anchors into the ground with spreading roots.”
— “so, should we put it in the middle of the field? Is that a good place?”

Growing
big and strong
I hear their plans
for my future
What will become
Of me

I’m rooted in place
Spreading out wide
Under the grass,
I cling to the rich,
Black soil as
It nourishes and
Strengthens me

I feel my branches sway
My trunk, still growing
Swaying in the direction
Of the wind,
Like a boomerang,
I return right back
To my rightful position

Fall and winter
come
and go
I’ve lost my leaves
Multiple times
My trunk no longer
Sways with the direction
Of the wind.

Now my branches sway
And leaves flutter
The wind whistles a melody
Gliding
between open spaces

I notice that over time
The sound of my leaves
In the wind changes
My leaves flutter,
Then rustle,
And in deep winter,
There is just a whistle
as the wind
searches for a partner
To enjoy its last dance

Time marches forward,
I stand taller now
My branches stretching,
begging to reach
the other side of the garden

I take center stage,
Providing direction
Like a drum major
Keeping time

I am a home to
nests,
lizards,
And caterpillars,

Over the years —

I become the steady fixture
In the park
The meeting place,
A centerpiece to build upon

A nearby bench
Provides comfort
While resting in my shade
On a warm day

The calmness of the garden
Encouraged lively conversations and activities,
As —

kites got stuck in my branches
— “look mommy, my kite is so high! I bet it can see the whole world!”
— “heeellppp! My kite is stuck at the top of the tree!”

birds built nests
— “look at the bluish green of that egg. Four of them! There will be a proud family here soon!”

picnics were enjoyed
— “this is such a restful day. I wish we could do this every weekend.”

One day, as I was listening, something very unexpected happened.

— “I love you so much! I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

It was such a happy day,
and then, before I knew it

— “I’m going to carve our initials right here!”
— “oh, put a heart around it!”

I could feel the sharpness
Of the knife,
Carving into my trunk,
Pushing down,
Flicking out pieces
Of wood,
Changing my landscape,
Creating a
permanent scar

Sap drip, dripping,
Down my bark
As I reel from the
unexpected violation

For years following
I unwillingly
Provide shade
And comfort to
A multitude of visitors

Conversations continued
But I pulled away
solitude, my refuge

Then one day
An older couple
were enjoying a picnic

And something remarkable happened.

— “look, here it is! It’s a bit higher now, but they’re still there!”
— “our initials, oh my gosh!”
— “this is where I first told you I loved you”
— “I remember! I’ll never forget that day”

Before I knew it, there were multiple sets of hands touching my trunk

The coarseness of my trunk
Was rough on their hands
While at the same time,
The gentle smoothness
Of their hands calmed me

Someone was making
a copy of the initials
on paper

Children were placed
on my branches
And hung upside down

And then I heard
something truly surprising

— “when I was young, my grandfather and I picked out this tree. It was just a couple feet tall. We planted it in this very spot. He told me it would grow to be big and strong one day.”
— “I wish he was here to see it now, and to see all of you.”

I listened that day.
I’m listening still.

Quiet

This house, once
so full of life
is quiet now

The music is missing

The clank, clank, clank
of keys is gone

The sound of
chopsticks performed
on repeat no longer
fills the room

Now, the room is filled
with a fine layer
of dust

Strings stretched
out of shape

Cushions harden
from lack of use

Keys stick
In place

A lonely piano
sits against the wall

The days of use
are long gone

Famous composers
once visited
our house

The s t a c c a t o
of our heart beat matched
the rhythm of our house

thump

thump

thump

thump

Amazing music
once transported us
to other lands

Now
the keys stick

And the rhythm of the house is
QUIET

quiet

quiet

quiet

Beethoven doesn’t visit –
this house –
anymore

A Shadow of Light

Waves crash violently
against the face of jagged rocks.

Salt water leaves its mark
on the edge of the barrier,
while shiny crystalized pieces,
dried out from the hot sun,
stick to the surface…
just out of the waves’ range.

This continual beating will go on for days,
when out of nowhere,
a gentle caress takes its place.

Calm waters, like a whispered song,
convince the rocks
that a little peace has arrived
and all is well.

The rocks play a critical role
in protecting this small piece of land,
responsible for saving
an untold number of lives.

The shoal forms a circle
inside the ring of rocks
as birds find a welcome refuge
from the sea.

A dry, safe place to land
for a bit of rest.
Maybe a quick meal to be had
of insects
and a lucky find of a burrowing worm.

A lighthouse sits
in the center of the small island.
Years of neglect show
in the weathered look
of the once whitewashed bricks.

Seeds managed to make their way
up the side of the lighthouse,
taking hold and sprouting,
starting a new life.

Tufts of green
dot the darkened white walls
to create an abstract piece of natural art.

The weathered brass
at the top of the lighthouse
turned a speckled green
from lack of care.
Hands that once rubbed
and massaged the brass
are long gone.

The lonely catwalk, abandoned,
stands as if it is ready
for its keeper to return
at any time.

A film covers the glass,
blocking out any evidence
that a light once shone brightly
from the lantern inside.

The forsaken lighthouse,
once so proud,
always ready,
bright and gleaming,
has become
but a shadow of itself.

Inside the lighthouse,
the spiral staircase
wraps around the edge of the wall
like a hand wrapped
around the souls of its past keepers.

A piece of each remain,
their essence stained into the walls,
as an internal monument
to the sea.