There is a giant white centipede slowly walking across the sky as if on a mission to reach the ground or at least some quiet mountainside nearby. Why do my eyes search the sky?
And what draws my attention to the shadow clad mountains whose surface falls away into soft folds of valleys and ridges? Is it the gentle strength it appears to have or could it be its quiet heights which even now draw a solitary cloud of pink and gold to its dusty, green and black peak? Or is it perhaps the tree whose red blossoms are isolated in a sea of verdant green?
I cannot say what causes me to lift my eyes again and again to its seemingly smooth surface. All I can speak of is the peacefulness that seems to pervade my body as my glance seeks and finds a view of the mountains which now are outlined in silver.
A business man meanders around the tree-lined edge of the park. What is he thinking as he rambles along over the green and gold grassy life that rustles beneath his shiny black shoes? He could have the appearance of being in deep thought some might say, but I wonder... Perhaps he is trying to find peace away from the "busy-ness" and commotion found at the place where he works and is now relaxing as the sun massages away the tenseness in his shoulders while his troubled thoughts are blown away with the softened breath of the wind.
I wonder...does he even know why he comes here where the hushed music of nature can impact one's life and change one's mood to an even greater degree than can some of the noise which meets him outside of the fences, which draw the line between escape into nature and entrance into life outside it's borders.
Now, he sits beneath a tree, opens a book and begins to read. I think it would be refreshing to take a break from my day to sit in the shade of a tree with my back against a cool rock wall. There I would sit with a field of grass and leaves spreading out before me as I alternated reading a good book with staring out across the field at the trees in their stately stances and the birds traipsing along with delicate steps as they sing to each other.
Yes,...I do think that would be peaceful. *smile*
It is warm today. The sun's gentle light relaxes me. It is spring and all around me life is beginning. Baby ants learn how to climb my slender blade of greenery. Tiny birds walk slowly around me ocassionally stopping to lower their heads to peck for food that sometimes is found near my base. Everything seems to be soft, gentle and new.
Oh, the heat is becoming unbearable during these summer months. I am turning brown and growing dry. My spring companions rarely visit me anymore. Instead they visit the homes of those who live in shade. At last...a refreshing breeze. Leaves are starting to fall. They drift towards me and begin to pile up as if seeking to form a warm blanket around me. How nice it is to have friends. These leaves which flutter around me are not those of the multicolored brilliancy which my relatives on the mainland see, but I don't mind, because this is a land of year-round beauty and someone must be here to soften the fall of these leaves.
Brrr...the nights and early mornings are getting colder. The rain washes me and turns the ground, which houses my roots, to mud that little children love to squelch through. I love this time of year when I can hear the children laugh and splash in the puddles which form while it rains.
As a tender blade of grass my life may be short if too many people trample me and if the sun dries me, never allowing me to quench my thirst. Yet, at the same time I also have a strength that many lack. Though storms and strong winds may cause me to bend under their strength I am not uprooted. Instead, I stand firm in majestic power and when the wind and storms have ceased I'll still be here in delicate grace.
As I wait in solemn darkness for the bus to come my eyes gaze upward where they are met by silver clouds which steadily push forward as if trying to remove those gangly building which are determined to over-run nature.
Speaking of nature....what are the plants and trees for, which surround tall metal, glass and concreted buildings? Are they there to give overly busy workers a glimpse into the beauty nature holds? Or, by their presence are they reminding us of that which we might normally miss? Yet, perhaps their only purpose is of a more practical nature to help us breathe fresher air....Why are they there for you?
Green lines curving around in a disfigured oval.. One small brown stub sticks slightly out of one end. Lines etched into the paper thin surface speak of storms you have weathered. A tiny hole here and there show how you bravely continued your life even while elements around you tried to eat you.
Now, you have fallen from a great height and your smooth surface lies in a soft bed of pine needles with your surface dulled slightly as people have stepped, with dusty feet across your tender face.
Leaf, in a sense you remind me of myself. I may not have weathered storms of rain and thunder, but I have weathered storms of rage. At times I seem to lose strength and gaping holes of pain slowly eat away my joy. On the tender surface of my heart there are etched many lines of hurt as destructive winds of anger blew my way. Soon, I find my cheerful gaiety has dulled beneath the dust of hate.
Now, leaf I will leave and probably by the time I return to look your way again you will have disintegrated, but at least know that while you existed at least one person stopped to see your beauty and read your story.
The moon melts into blackness. Then it reappears, refusing to be extinguished by the smoky clouds. Instead it grows stronger, still shedding its misty light so that it may bring life to those in need of love.
How can one describe this peace as I sit here immersing myself in nature? My worries float away on the gentle wings of the breeze. The sun plays with things about me causing shadows to form and fade while enveloping me in its graceful light. Tiny ants dressed in black race about my feet and all my "busy-ness" ceases as it rushes away with them. Two birds wander over, alert, yet unafraid as if knowing that I too am here to escape from the sometimes cruel actions of others.
The chirping birds, whispering grass and faint crackle of leaves fill me with soft peace as nature relaxes me and tries to lull me to sleep.
Today I walked to Kapaolono Park. When I arrived I sat quietly on the grass, barely moving and four soft, gray little birds slowly hopped towards me, until they were within one foot of me. I chirped at one of them and he (or she) *smiles* seemed to turn his/her head, looking quizzically at me. I chirped again and it wandered a little closer, stopping every once in awhile to look at me as I chirped as if it was trying to figure out what kind of bird I was....It was neat. *smiles*
© May, 1998--Heather Dozier
