Serenity resides beside the seashore beneath the salty breath of the ocean the rhythmic humming of the heavy tide reminds me to breathe deeply The liquid lungs of this sacred planet the dark, watery womb of all life releasing oxygen into the atmosphere while it sways against the weight of the moon The crashing exhale of massive waves chases away all fears of letting go hypnotized by the back and forth of forces far greater than I The awe-inspiring grandeur of the undulating sea brings a deep sense of peace I've been holding my breath
nature
Manifest
Early morning cracks us open a plump, orange yolk perched upon the rolling expanse of open acres the symphony of dawn begins beneath a veil of cool, dissipating mist The earth awakens and unfurls in an instant with interwoven, simultaneous, upbeat bustling as hundreds of intricate beings of all sizes emerge to dutifully begin their humble daily tasks unwittingly weaving the world together for one another The swollen present swallows us completely enveloped in the electric energy currents of pulsating life rushing through creek beds and rustling vibrant leaves a soothing, faithful hum that echoes inside and out intoxicated by the sweet nectar of undulating harmony Each moment overflowing with the simple joy of right now lapping up the soft waters of where we belong indistinguishable elements of the intricate, lush landscape synchronizing ourselves to the cadence of all creation every instant ripe with it's own inherent meaning
Shit Town
Heaps of firewood and artful hedge mazes sharp accents and aging illiterate eyes bars and churches are the only buildings breaking up vast expanses of breathtaking nature nothing to interfere with the majesty of the deep night sky A common thread of rolling country and the dozens of roaming dogs that were discarded back to the open land by careless hands, whipped clean, and well satisfied with their clever plan for casting off of other beings A city nestles behind the hillside a few hours away and it's inhabitants keep the questions coming, "Haven't you ever thought of moving?" with an earnestness that is surprising as much as it is saddening Who would ever think of abandoning Eden? this heaven hidden among the worst kinds of humans harbors worlds of it's own within the intricate moss lattice knit across acres of expanding woodlands behind rustling leaves and a chorus of melded chirrups The knowledge that so many lives haven't had the privilege to know the earth so intimately stings my heart in a way I can't put into words even more animals kept in cages away from the sweet medicine of sun and soil My answer is no, I will never leave this place even while I watch filthy industry moving in my very essence is intertwined with these forests I will fall with the trees and be burned up like mere raw material with their lumber if I must
Twenty-Eight
Twenty-eight years spent in the same place that felt like a prison when I was sixteen It once seemed like failure not escaping to surroundings exciting and unfamiliar somewhere far away But now I see it as a blessing to grow where you are planted to traverse the same worn paths through friendly trees in summer To sit upon the same faithful earth that holds mementos of my childhood and watch the slow changes in myself reflected back by the whispering hillsides Sharing secrets with the soiled river that has always known me more deeply than anyone could through words alone as it runs alongside my inner life The quiet protection of the thick woods softly urging me onward in time tiny hands searching for fish hook treasures among steep, rocky shores just outside of town The awesome unfurling of a life and a land intertwined the profoundly soothing resonance of a home that's greater than home
West Virginia
There is no heaven I'd rather have than the deep forests of West Virginia Mother Nature manifested in lush, rustling hillsides filled with life My own soul disguised in blushing red and gold and the dark, faithful hues of evergreens a swelling awe that overwhelms the senses and speaks to the divine seed inside us all Burning billion year old lights engulf the sky every night humbled and held in the vastness of this existence how could I ever leave this perfect, peaceful pocket? what more could I ask for than this majesty? Winding roads I know so well echo with all the heartbreak I've hurled into the mountains to be absorbed and transformed into new song The very best parts of me are interwoven into the dark earth and dirty rivers profound connection can be felt in every glance outside my window Home has never been a house with four walls it is here among the dense, ancient trees that tower all around me and offer shelter from the harsh realities of human life I am so grateful that I am able to intimately know this earth of mine and recognize its soft, subtle sighs as I allow her wind and water to carve into me
Take Your Medicine
Silence is the medicine so desperately needed in a deafening world of noise the earth is always waiting with gentle tea leave tonics to soothe an aching heart rough, strong branches to support your tired limbs soft, sweet smelling grasses to cradle a head made heavy with over stimulation invite in the fearful feeling that rises suddenly inside at the thought of slowing down prove to yourself that the world keeps spinning when you completely stop rest is the only remedy that can refill an empty cup taking a break seems impossible when you need it most of all this is your permission slip to settle into stillness and reconnect with the almighty ebb and flow of ever-present earth energy pulsating beneath your feet you deserve to take deep breaths and sprinkle your days with compassionate commas and plump, perfect pauses
The Rain Reminds Me
Waking to the sound of rain a song of rest outside my window sanctuary of subdued sunshine a signal to soften and slow down Dewey refuge from frantic movement rejuvenation released from the sky deflating this bloated baggage of worry replaced with soothing streams of surrender Tender tones of grey and blue wrapping me in sacred stillness permission to let go and listen the soft drumbeat of water on leaves Muffled birdsongs through the mist relentless ethereal cadence of crickets full bodied accompaniment to life's chorus syncopated splashes contributed by clouds Damp doves drying in tree branches the whole world holding it's breath absorbing this gift of liquid life relinquished awe-inspiring cycle of earth's abundance Savoring the simple gifts of nature the last few decades of clean water overcome with sheer gratitude for deep exhales punctuated by raindrops
You’re With Me On My Own
Living lattice of spongey spiderwebs stitches supporting the dark, damp earth connecting networks transmitting information between the trees' deeply buried toes breathing in pulsating energy particles that permeate the thick air above quivering conviction of nature intertwined magical mirror image, veins beneath pale skin Sacred assurance that all is not lost the same sun still rises in the east each morning you reside in the red light beneath my eyelids retinas stained with sweet remembrance Everything fades except for this feeling bitter things only taste better as I age including this patient pain, the prize I protect hopeless happiness harbored in secret Silly dreams pluck breath from lonely lungs pathetic mantra of "maybe one day" vindicated by comparison to other laughably unlikely anecdotes The small, sharp pleasure of planning this impossible future fills my cracked cup enough to keep going Besides, we're still connected by that complicated underground lace linked inextricably through shared sunlight eternally sown together with this earth
Childhood
Thank you for a childhood free from seductive screens for long summer days lying on the floor without AC Thank you for the silence of a world before wires that let my mind buzz with unhindered creativity Thank you for the boredom of being bottled up in my room finding forms within the waves of rough paint on my ceiling Thank you for the woods for butterflies and salamanders and all the small creatures I had space to be acquainted with Thank you for blanket forts crisp fall evenings buried under leaves snow days with red cheeks from sled riding hot chocolate and dehydrated marshmallows Thank you for a childhood full of flower fields and fresh air the secret memory of that inner stillness where I can return whenever I need it
Patriot
Despite it all I still love this country not the people or the putrid institutions or the racist men who impose them I love the land that spreads beneath my feet from sea to shining sea the majesty of the earth and all her creatures I'm proud of our prairies not the president I praise the coastlines not the constitution written for rich white men The expansive flowing fields the splendor of the snow capped mountains the acres of old growth forests the vast diversity of lifeforms that flourish here under blue skies I won't stand to salute a flag or die for a monstrous lie but I kneel in awe before the earth and count the blessings bestowed upon me by her beauty