Winter Sonnet

The road goes ever onward, where to I do not know
To sunlit lands or mountain peaks or gentle river flow
Wherever to I will not mind, my heart has led me here
Adventure waits around the bend, I feel it very near

When morning comes I hope it finds my feet in distant lands
In homely cottages of old, or maybe castles grand
Wherever it will lead me, I will go with eager heart
Excitement clutches at my soul before my journey starts

“Nature’s first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold.
Her early leaf’s a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.” (Robert Frost, Nothing Gold Can Stay)

Urgent! When the woodpecker stops at your window, larger than life and resplendent in black and crimson, pay attention! Perhaps he wants you to direct your attention to a world that is bigger than you, bigger than him, bigger than us all. Leave your tedious busywork behind. Toss aside that list of things to do, all sixty-plus items that never seem to go away, just shift from time to time.

When all is quiet.
You must listen and hear.
The whispers of the trees.
What do they say?

When all is peaceful.
You must listen and hear.
The whispers of the river.
What does it say?

When all is in motion.
You must listen and hear.
The whispers of the earth.
What does it say?

When all is noisy.
You must listen and hear.
The whispers of your heart.
What does it say?

When all is sad.
You must listen and hear.
The whispers of others.
What do they say?

The music played.

It was ten o’clock. A young couple wandered into the park, the man pulling the woman. She looked up in wonder at the snow falling gently on the ground. He kissed her softly and then fell to one knee, bringing a tiny box out of his pocket. A ring appeared from the box; he offered it to her, and she began to cry.

The music was romantic.

A while ago, a friend was asked a serious question, that I over heard. "What motivates you to educate yourself?" I paused for a moment, struck by the question. What motivates me to educate myself?
Why do I do what I do? I had never considered that before. Finally, I sat down and with a little bit of thought, came up with my own reasons for educating myself.

I think we have something to learn from a lot of things. Things we take for granted, and don’t think twice about. Things like snowflakes…and hairbrushes…and candles…and glass…and rain…and sugar crystals… And asphalt.

*Based on a true story*

The faint glow of the moon was drowned in a blaze of light as a battered pickup truck rounded the corner of the rough dirt road. It bounced slowly over the uneven surface as it navigated the sharp turns of the valley. The driver gazed with half focus on the road ahead as it was revealed by the headlights. He fancied he could stay on the road even without the lights, he’d traveled it so many times.

Standing here above the fields
Watching, listening and feeling.
Peace surrounds this place
Silence lends itself to reflection.

Untainted by human hands
Free of industry, noise and strife
The mountain stands
Serene, aloof and strong.

The wind in my hair,
The quiet bird songs,
The firm earth beneath
A testament to God.

On this mountaintop
I see His power
I feel His love.
This peace and beauty