Predator safety

We spent a quiet day, 

Punctuated by bursts of rainfall, 

Reading and occasionally watching

 A pair of geese who appeared to be nesting 

In the field below the house, 

When suddenly they flew off, 

And just as you started to call attention 

 To their departure, an eagle flew in 

And perched in the tree above the spot 

Where the geese had been foraging. 

Of course, we thought. No one feels safe 

When a predator is near.

Fifty shades of green

So many shades of green in my garden, 

Each a beautiful addition to the whole. 

So many shades of skin in the world, 

Each enriching the human garden. 

Why would we not include them all?

Take small steps

Little creatures, 

Placed outside a hospital window 

To brighten a patient’s day — 

A small thing, but it shows that someone cares. 

We needn’t berate ourselves 

For all the large ways we cannot change the world, 

But we CAN choose to take small steps that matter.

For the love of Iris

It’s amazing, 

After a long dark winter, 

How much pleasure 

A single flower can bring.

A moment of stillness

Wishing you moments of stillness 

And peaceful reflections 

To soothe you in a turbulent world.

Mountain glory

The colors, the textures, 

The layers of clouds… 

Some mornings the mountain 

 Just blows me away: 

So grateful to live in her presence!

Happy Mother’s Day

Happy Mother’s Day 

To all — male or female — 

Whose hearts ache just a little 

On seeing this new fawn; 

For whom the sight of vulnerability 

 Inspires a longing to protect: 

We are the ones 

 Who will give life to the future; 

We are the keepers of the earth.