Happy Earth Day

To honor Earth Day, 

I offer these immortal lines 

From the New Zealand Book of Common Prayer, 

The Māori version of The Lord’s Prayer.

The triumph of spring

Yesterday, while my daughter napped, 

I took a walk around the yard 

Of the house where she’s recovering 

 From her latest chemo infusion 

And found these beautiful irises. 

How is it, that beauty can be so reassuring; 

That spring’s return after a long hard winter 

Always reminds us life can triumph 

 Over obstacles sometimes too painful to be borne?

Drama in the sky

I took so many pictures of last night’s sunset, 

Hoping to capture its beauty. 

This one’s not the prettiest, 

But definitely the most dramatic —

 It feels like it’s given me a glimpse of heaven: 

 Not just beauty, but a promise: 

Of depth, of hope, of a world beyond 

The surface challenges of the day.

Dark and light together

Driving by the variegated hillsides of spring, 

I’m enchanted by the contrasts in color; 

That dark and light can commingle 

 So seamlessly in nature 

Makes me wonder why we struggle so as humans 

Instead of appreciating the beauties in the mix.

Morning colors

The colors of the morning

Feed a hunger in our souls 

For what is good, and true, 

 And always waiting beneath the clouds.

Morning mystery

I never seem to tire 

Of the mystical effects 

Of an early morning sunrise: 

The way it turns the windows opaque 

While darkening the shadows, 

Adding an aura of enchantment 

To the ordinary…

On edge?

To sit and admire 

The constantly shifting majesty of clouds; 

To find yourself at the edge of the world, 

Watching for its end; 

To breathe, and breathe, and breathe again 

The sea salt air in hopes of clearing 

Your brain of all its fears and concerns 

Is a blessing not to be missed.