Simple Gifts and Magical Moments

In nature everything transforms. Species, seasons, earth and water ebb and flow, birth and die. This is where I find hope.

Yesterday, I took a mini-hike with my dog, Floyd. I headed out long before sunrise. (This is one of the things I love about night crew, my sleep schedule makes pre-dawn trips easy). On the drive, a large owl flew low over my car. I couldn't tell if it was a barred owl or great horn owl, but I believe it had something in it's talons. If you've never been out at pre-dawn, there's something magical about it. The world is quiet. There's no true daylight but there's a slowly brightening glimmer. The transition from quiet to song is so gradual you can miss it. Robins sing first and then come the thrushes and soon the woods are in full symphony of song. I was out of cell phone range and no humans were around. I had Floyd with me, but there's still something about that sense of aloneness that reminds you that you are a small thread in the grand fabric of life. Floyd felt it too, his bright echoed the wild spirit all around. Sunrise arrived as I was getting...

We, who are civilized, like to idealize and sanitize Nature However, birth is a bloody, painful process that can end in sorrow and suffering. Death isn't always quick and painless like my childhood nature shows proclaimed. Natures glory is not always green or gold. Ask the farmer or the logger if Nature is gentle. Mud and muck, snot and slime, Nature can be a stern and unforgiving mother. The fetid odor of putrification and eutrification Is as much her perfume as roses and spring breezes. Today, I looked at the ruler straight snow line on the mountain. The trees above stood out bright and strong against the twilight sky. It reminded me of a winter display found in the shopping mall. Perhaps I should be comforted by the sign of order and beauty, But I felt uncertain and distant and longed for Natures intimacy.

I believe in sadness and joy. I believe in hope and fear. I believe in success and failure. I believe, Therefore I am. I am emotional, Determined and insecure Stubborn and proud. I believe in biology. I believe in genetics. I believe in chemistry. I believe that Nature versus nurture. That is the question. It is not nobler To suffer the slings and arrows Of outrageous moods. Clumsiness is inevitable The different drummer Didn’t chose a different beat She had no rhythm. I believe there are things we will not overcome. I believe there are things we will not change. I believe there are things we will not accept. I believe that Life is not fair. If at first you don’t succeed, you may never succeed. Terrible things happen. And the idea that God Doesn’t give you more than you can handle Is ridiculous and judgmental. I believe in God. I believe in choices. I believe in reality. I believe There is a god. Not an all powerful God, Who directs life like a puppeteer. But a God both distant and dea...

Long and firm But giving way, Towards forest floor The fir tree splays - Tall no more. Dark and brown And mossy green, Soft decay A fallen dream. Broken down And gone astray, Massive roots Given way. Worms and beetles Feast and feed, Scuttle and chew In desperate need. Survival The forest creed. Death belongs - It's Nature's seed.

Some geese flew by today Heading off on their migrational way. A storm blew and the fir trees shook I paused to take a wondering look. Without a doubt Autumn was here But what I saw gave me a twinge of fear. The wind it blew so very strong It seemed their flight path had gone wrong That flock of geese they blew off course Their honks of dismay even sounded hoarse To the East they blew in a broken vee And then no forward progress at all could I see The distant flock fell apart all together They could not withstand the horrible weather. And my stomach, it had started to churn They have only so much energy to burn One big storm can destroy them all Was that to be the case this Fall? I watched and hoped and looked away I couldn’t face more of Nature’s display Nature is my greatest thrill But I have always known that it could chill. Some geese flew overhead today And their struggle, it filled me with dismay.

I have seen a lone tree sing, As it belly-danced in the wind, In a field in early spring. I have heard coyotes yip Their voices only, surrounding me On an ordinary hiking trip. I have listened to frogs Their voices a million strong Creation started with pollywogs. I have looked in the eyes Of a small and fearless red fox A shared moment of surprise. I have walked along the river path The sound of water flowing and rain patter A wet and musical bath. I have stopped in my tracks For a small pink leaf in a puddle of mud Its beauty unique although its setting lacks. I have sat still on a rock as night slowly fell. My dog’s nose twitching, my human ears straining, Sight giving way, to sound and smell And taking flight from a tree An owl turned its head 180 degrees To look back at me. Magic moments filled with grace Life’s simple pleasure or God’s gifts These are the things I choose to embrace.