Rhythm’s Balance
Thinnest clouds gather
Horizon’s comforting song—
Rainfall’s gentle pace
Fabric’s Serenity
Landscape’s loving touch
Daughter of darkness sleeping—
Tranquility’s breath
Overnight’s Transition
Nightly darkness fades
Morning’s quiet peace rises—
Transforming earth’s heart
Preciousness
Morning’s rising face
Energizing peace below—
Fresh outlook embraced
Boundless
Clear night sky arrives
Breathing with infinite peace—
Tomorrow on deck
Permanence
Intimacy felt
Transforming peace covers earth—
Creator’s presence
Early morning’s reversing wind
No longer facing fierce headwind
Life takes comfort in day ahead
Thrilled to be awake, out of bed
Skipjack sailing away from home
Leaving Choptank’s berth, free to roam
Adventure waiting, take it on
Facing nature, ready with brawn
Pride of Maryland’s Eastern Shore
Nathan of Dorchester explores
With summer day’s life-giving breeze
She skims across these waves with ease
Distant river shoreline fading
Chesapeake Bay, now invading
Each crew member tackles his tasks
Loving this boat, each effort basks
With warm breezes, life’s sails now fill
Each port of call, sharing goodwill
The inspiration for this poem comes from my travels to Maryland’s Eastern Shore along the Choptank River at Cambridge. While I haven’t sailed on the Skipjack Nathan of Dorchester (yet), it is something I would enjoy experiencing during a future summer trip back to my wife’s hometown.
Originally published March, 2021.
Nature, after all, is still the grand agent in making poets.
Poetry is the attempt which man makes to render his existence harmonious.
Thomas Carlyle (1795-1881) was a Scottish-born essayist, historian, and philosopher. He was a leading writer of the Victorian era.
Defining sunrise
Another touch of peace
Harmony’s interactions
Nature’s timely release
Embracing daylight
Morning’s joyfulness speaks
Each illustrated landscape
Nature’s waiting mystique
Inserting wind’s breath
Grove of tree branches sway
Scattered pollen taking flight
Nature’s open gateway
Mixing up colors
Hues of unique design
Tranquility delivers
Nature’s scenic pipeline
Fulfilling vision
Hope offering her hand
Empty canvas finished
Nature’s spirit commands
This poem is written in a traditional sonnet style with 14 lines, and each line contains 10 syllables. I was fortunate to witness this park one day before the rising temperatures would begin transforming the park from its winter look.
Invitation from warmer winter day
Insisting on afternoon nature hike
Snowy Walnut Woods, waiting with sunshine
Feeling welcome, childlike emotions strike
Deep snow lining each trail, bright white border
Dressing in cozy layers, feeling warm
Park’s newest treasures, eager to explore
Thankful for winter’s freedom from snowstorms
Ancient sycamore tree branches glisten
Discovering cross-country skiers’ trail
Beaver dam holds back frozen Big Run creek
Precious winter moments bless, without fail
Looming big thaw will erase winter’s scene
Memories filling life’s unending screen
Originally published March, 2021.
With persistent breath
Morning answers spirit’s call
Gentle westerly breeze
Earth wrapped up in her shawl
With comforting warmth
Dawn’s early light welcomes all
Darkened sky whisked away
Brightest rays seek landfall
With silence stirring
Landscape at last comes alive
Worldly view awakens
New day ready to thrive
With freedom’s rhythm
Harmony’s refreshing drawl
Breathless tranquility
Timely tune never stalls
With intimate touch
Creator’s dreams never small
Tomorrow cannot wait
Nature fulfills His call
Daily Offering
Heavenly sunshine
Landscape gathers gift of grace—
Rising every morn
Tender Touch
Gentle breeze above
Cascading with every breath—
Dawn’s signature peace
Invitation Received
Daybreak’s welcome light
Encouraging renewal—
Darkness overcome
Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.
In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.
John Muir (1838-1914) was an Scottish-born, American naturalist. He was one of America’s earliest advocates for wilderness preservation, and he has been referred to as the “Father of National Parks.” His unwavering support and influence led to the establishment of Yosemite National Park.
Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.
Life is a journey, not a destination.
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) was an American essayist, poet, and philosopher. He was a leading voice in America’s transcendentalist movement in the 19th century.
Big Sky Buckeye 