Gentle morning wakens
Far horizon brightens
Life stirring, yet hidden
Tiny shadow lightens
Leafless sentinels poised
Dignified, yet quiet
Nature’s hungriness growls
Winter’s empty diet
Eager deer stands alone
Daylight now discovers
Prince silently feeding
Thicket grants him cover
Dawn’s light show on display
Warm colors welcome day
Like geese flying above
Dark clouds flutter away
Lone blue heron overhead
Harmony dropping in
Landing on calm waters
Gentle morning’s check-in
One of my favorite places to walk is a short drive from my home. Walnut Woods Metro Park (the Woods) is a special place to find nature’s treasures along its easy to moderate trails. The photographs shown with this poem were taken a few days ago. Enjoy!
Early morning light beckons
Putting on worn hiking shoes
Overcast skies hold back rain
Nature waits with charming views
Driving to a park, the “Woods”
Tranquility always waits
Peace and beauty reaching out
Eager feet, needing no skates
Step by step, walking farther
Park’s vastness, shouting with joy
Around each bend, nature smiles
Many sights and sounds deploy
Morning excursion teases
Birds sing back and forth on cue
Precious blossoms smelling sweet
Coffee can’t top nature’s brew
Time seems to pause with each step
Today’s time comes to an end
Ticket punched for return trip
These “Woods” remain a best friend
Originally published June, 2020.
Weekend rains offer pause
Autumn’s final harvest on hold
Testing farmers’ patience
Temperatures fall, growing cold
Another falling leaf
Afternoon’s cheery cup of tea
Looking through window’s glass
Visions of backyard’s empty tree
Book’s bold invitation
Immersed within mystery’s plot
Welcoming each minute
Story plunges with missing yacht
Day’s gentle, soothing peace
Lost in memories, freshly found
Feeling blessed with each gem
Past wants to hang around
Nightfall now closes in
Rain drizzling, without pause
Hearing silence unwind
Weekend’s spirit cuddles nonstop
Night’s cloud covering
Gentle rain tapping window—
Tranquility sings
Early morning hour
Glimmer of pre-dawn’s sunrise—
Blissful moments breathe
Clouds bursting open
Umbrella catches each drop—
Splashing through puddles
Photo by Skitterphoto on Pexels.com
Music permeates through the woods
Listen closely, can you hear it?
This melody brings a sense of calm
Nature witnesses a new hit
Calmness radiates from a banjo
Listen again, can you feel it?
Life pauses, taking in this song
Appreciate this moment, let’s sit
Even in darker times, comes light
Listen now, can you feel its blitz?
Calming tune filling every heart
Playing a banjo, without the glitz
People reaching out to others
Living as sisters and brothers
Steve Martin is an accomplished banjo player, and he shares a message of calmness and peace from the woods with his own self-video performance. This video inspired the writing of this poem.
Originally published March, 2020.
Clock’s movements quietly advance
Calendar pages keep turning
Realizing now, time so precious
Yesterday, never returning
Today, now galloping away
Each moment quickly discarded
Vanishing minutes tearing up
Uncertain time left unguarded
Tomorrow arrives much too soon
Yesterday feeling incomplete
Searching for one more treasured hour
Empty time becomes bittersweet
Distant dreams fill with missing days
Harmony’s peacefulness arrives
Pursuing extra, precious time
Delights harvested from archives
Morning sunrise gathers on time
Eagerness to explore today
Looking forward, cherished outlook
Every moment planning to stay
Winter’s quiet night
Appreciate each moment—
Stillness embraces
Calendar says “Spring”
Warm under snowy blanket—
Not ready quite yet
Wildflowers fill dreams
Winter’s snow melting away—
Spring’s colors peek out
Early morning hour
Sowing heart’s tranquility—
Calmness of spirit
Believe, trusting more
Opening another door—
Shifting day’s mindset
Away from one’s view
Time flowing with transition—
Subtleness of change
Looking out from backyard deck
Nature’s bounty welcomes all
Noble trees shroud quiet creek
One more day, closer to fall
Summer pleasures, don’t leave yet
Early sunrise, high blue sky
Birds finding feast, velvet lawn
New moments, ready to fly
Taste tranquility-filled hours
Blissful life singing with praise
Path through woods, deer’s faithful sign
Midnight’s moon always ablaze
Gentle wind serenades now
Cooler evening air invites
Tree’s swinging to breezy song
Quiet peace, life’s hidden heights
Hour grows late, pausing to see
Promised arrival smiles back
Fireflies dancing above grass
Nature’s final, sweet snack
Waking up early
Thick darkness greets thee
Quiet time invites
Tranquility’s seas
Hearing rain’s cascade
Rhythm bringing ease
Daylight holding back
Morning’s bliss shall please
Steaming toward light
Music in background
Thoughts wander, carefree
Life’s train now homebound
Arriving on time
Memories retrieved
Harvest of warm hearts
Life’s journey achieved
Big Sky Buckeye 