the many gifts of nature…

sitting on a bench at the natural area
I look out across the open meadow

a light wind blows from the south
softly whispering through golden grass

taking simple breaths I remain present
far from those places thoughts beckon

a blue jay chatters from a pine branch
joined by a chorus of barking prairie dogs

I’m listening…

but all goes silent with my unexpected sneeze
an engulfing quiet settles upon the meadow

silence is broken with a chickadees two-note song
inviting the prairie dogs and blue jays back

a squawking magpie joins in and so the
concert continues much to my pleasure

within this simple experience I am
offered one of the many gifts of nature

I’m listening…

ms