Between the bars stretch conifers
as far as the eye can behold,
awaiting the damp silence
of morning, hollow bellow
of a moose’s call or the twitter
of chipmunks on a tireless errand
to provide for frigid months ahead,
always and perpetually in view;
To raise one’s head and gaze
upon an untrammeled road winding
alongside weathered split-rail fencing
invites the eye first to rest,
then the body to rise, provision,
set feet upon it to wander
where it might lead, grassy field
or boulder-encrusted hillside,
mind the mountain lions known
to wander these parts, unafraid;
How can one persist without silence
and space in which to contemplate,
regenerate; how can a body recover
from the onslaught of traffic
and crowds of vacationers elbowing
their way past elders and small ones
into queues neverending,
diffusing pomp and privilege
as though entitlement confers
keys to the Kingdom;
In the end we are all afraid, whether
of endings or accountability, misdeeds
or heedless destruction in the wake
of a life too quickly spent; better we
should settle, from time to time
into the spaces between words
and distractions to discover,
perhaps for the first time, a radiant
fecundity that nourishes the soul.
Thank you for this beautiful reminder –as I take a moment to settle between the spaces of these words before I leave for work in this hectic, quickly-spent life — to enjoy the Beauty of the Conifers and Oaks and Maples and Birches lining the highway when I set my tires to the road and wander down the asphalt path on my way to provision and provide, knowing that it will nourish my soul.
Awww, mahalo James. I had actually posted it without the intent to publish it, not yet anyway as I’m still away from home, then instead of the preview button I hit the publish button! Maybe it was for you that it was intended 🌳. Glad it put you in a good frame of mind to launch into your work time. 😍
🙂
Just incredible!
Thanks, Paul. You are too kind 🌍
Bela, your writing is always so beautiful, and the imagery in this piece is mesmerizing. I truly love this one!
I’m so glad! Thanks, Betty! 🌷
Love how this poem pays homage to nature and what’s around us, Bela. I definitely agree that silence is good for us and it baffles me that some feel restless in silence. Maybe it’s the introvert in me, but I feel recharged and rejuvenated when I have some quiet time just sitting down and looking around. Also agree a lot of us are afraid…because who knows what this world will bring and I suppose that’s why some of us like to stick routine. But we learn the most when we let go and let things be. Personally, I feel the keys of the Kingdom lie within us when we stop, slow down and be appreciative with what we’ve got around us and who we really are within – that’s satisfaction for you 🙂
Thanks for your comments Mabel, as always. Yes, the definition of introversion is needing to be recharged on one’s own. The definition of extraversion is to draw energy from others. Yet we all benefit from silence, the practice of quieting the mind to flow with the energies of the cosmos. After all, none of us leaves here alive, and I think silence is always a good preparation for transitions like the last one of death, though a lot of people don’t like to think about that 😉 Aloha 🌹
” . . . the damp silence of morning, hollow bellow of a moose’s call . . .” You make it very hard to “settle . . . into the spaces between words” when the words themselves are so alluring. Lots of love, dear Bela. H <3
Many thanks, dear one. Buckets of love to you! 😍
Another fine writing, Bela.
OMG, I love this!
Thanks, Ryan 😉
Welcome. 🙂
This was beautiful Bela, you found your slice of Peace, and you expressed it perfectly how we should take time out and to enjoy each moment away from the madding crowds of the hustle and bustle of the world..
That view stunning.. Did you wake up to that view?? Wonderful xxx <3
Yes, no matter where I go, I do manage to find peace in a natural setting. Even when we have to stay in a city overnight or so, a park or ocean or mountains are nearby and I go there(!)
I *did* wake up to that view for 6 days, yes. It’s similar to the view from our Maine cabin – and that was for 34 years 😉
Love <3
Wow… 34 yrs with a similar view.. Wonderful .. <3
It was. Thought I would never leave. But what we have now is extraordinary. You can see some of our neighborhood photos here: http://belajohnson.com/photographs/
So it’s hard to choose. We’ve been extremely blessed to live in the most amazingly beautiful places. Helps fasten me onto life with every breath 😉 xoxoxo
Bela, thank you so much for sharing those photos. They took my breath away.. So many beautiful scenes.. just fantastic.. And the world is indeed a most marvellous place we have chosen to be.. xxxx 💚😍
It certainly is! And you’re welcome. <3
😍
Oh, yes, oh yes, oh yes! So much here. I want to carry this around and read it to whomever will listen.
Haha, glad you enjoyed it, Margaret <3
Yes we need the nourishment of the soul from time to time to address and minimize the assault of our rigorous daily lives. “…better we should settle, from time to time into the spaces between words and distractions to discover…” Beautiful this is, Bela.
I am humbled that you found it so. 🙏🏽Namaste.
Namaste, Bela-ji 🙂
“… ; better we
should settle, from time to time
into the spaces between words
and distractions to discover,
perhaps for the first time, a radiant
fecundity that nourishes the soul” – so beautifully expressed Bela. This was my favourite part: it was like rambling through nature, admiring the surroundings, then pausing to sit awhile …
… as I do. Every. Single. Day. 😉 Love to you, Marie! <3
Love back to you, dear one!:)❤