I was running through the forest thinking that I could get there faster if I took the shortcut. It wasn’t working. The brush and twigs from the trees had created a soft cushion but a difficult walkway. My shoes weren’t meant for this nor were my feet. I thought, “I’ll just keep moving. Maybe it won’t matter.” I wasn’t sure it would make any difference anyway.

I had just been at a meeting with the members of an elite group of people. Well, they thought they were elite. The rest of us were just trying to participate. We weren’t successful. No one would let us speak. Even when we raised our hands to try to attract attention so we might be able to say something, it didn’t help. The eyes would simply move on by. After awhile, we just gave up. And, listened. To all the rhetoric. Funny how people think they are important and think what they have to say just might have meaning. Neither was true. They weren’t important and they definitely did not have anything to say that was worth hearing.

Suddenly, I felt myself falling forward. It didn’t take long to land on the soft cushion created by the forest. It didn’t hurt. I just sort of bounced.

I laid there for a few seconds trying to figure out if I was hurt. But, I wasn’t. Before I could get up, the sound was there. The sound. The sound was unusual and not what I was expecting. Well, really, I wasn’t expecting sound at all. I was expecting to pick myself up from the ground and get moving. It didn’t happen. I laid there and listened. What was the sound?? It didn’t sound like a human voice. It sounded more, hm, celestial, like what I imagine an angel would sound like, if angels were to speak. I sat up and listened.

The sound was coming from just beyond the bend. I needed to see what was causing the sound so I proceeded to get up. As I walked toward the sound, I didn’t hear any other sound. No birds, no small creatures, no wind. Just the unusual sound that was pulling me forward.

And, then, I saw it. The big, beautiful, unusual, green and full…tree. Yes, a tree. The sound was definitely coming from this large tree. Now, nothing made sense. Trees don’t make celestial sounds, maybe terrestrial, but definitely not celestial. I had to find the source of the sound.

I walked over to the tree and stared for a few minutes. Nothing. The sound had stopped. So, I walked around the tree looking for the source of the sound. Nothing. I stopped, trying to think of what to do.

Then, I touched the tree. I put my hand very gently on the trunk of this very large tree. I felt it. I felt the sound but I couldn’t hear it. This was really getting weird. Suddenly, I felt the tree ask me to speak. Yes, I felt it. So, I did, and here is what I felt I had to say:

Oh, tree of life so beautiful, and strong
Wave your branches and sing along
Help us to be kind, and always belong
To the many who insist on singing your song

I felt a sense of urgency in that short interlude with this beautiful tree. It was as if the tree were listening to me, to my heart. Then, I knew that we are not alone. I knew we were all interconnected. I was connected to this tree. It could hear me! The longer I held my hand on the tree, the stronger I felt. So…much…energy. The spiritual energy filled my soul. I felt renewed.

As I moved away from the tree, I began to feel a deep sense of peace, knowing I could come back anytime to renew my inner self. Yes, I spoke and the tree listened.

Giant Springs

Stop, wait and think
It will be gone in a blink
Don’t put it in the sink
It will probably stink

It’s not that I care
It could be anywhere
I saw it on a chair
And, once in a person’s hair

Some may feel delight
To have it within sight
As it sits just right
Not too heavy or light

A guess you can make
While sitting by the lake
Of what it would take
To discover if it’s fake

It’s not fake you say
A hen will not delay
For it’s an egg to lay
For the Easter holiday

Missouri

If I could travel around the world
I know where I’d like to go
I’d go to a country in Africa
Where the elephants are free to grow

Their beauty is unmistakeable
They move with a grace unsaid
I can only imagine the sight
Right now, it is in my head

An elephant is a majestic
A unique mammal on earth
A blessing it would be to see them
Their look, size, and incredible worth

But, the value is not in money
It is a value that we can’t replace
To see an elephant in the wild
Is a dream I would like to chase

I hope as the time passes
If this dream isn’t meant for me
That my children or grandchildren
Will have that distinct opportunity

Photo taken by Patrick Freeman
“She’s a large adult female from the Native American family in Samburu National Reserve in Kenya. Her name is Cheyenne, and she was truly a sight to behold.”

I wonder if, he’s looking down
I wonder if he can see
I just wonder if he is around
Is he watching over me?

He left this place much too soon
He left and went away
He just left to a heavenly spot
Did he know he couldn’t stay?

When he was sick, I couldn’t help
I didn’t know what to do
I continued to work, I busied myself
A way to make it through

When I did come home, I tried to talk
He just never knew
He would sleep, and sometimes not
So, I decided to read to him, too

I read to him as he slept
I read to him during the day
I just read to him whenever I could
Did he hear what I had to say?

He passed from us while I was away
I couldn’t get there in time
The plane was canceled, I had to wait
Not the right paradigm

So, now I wonder, as time passes by
Is he looking down?
Does he hear what I have to say?
Is his aura maybe around?

I feel content as I think all these thoughts
The thoughts are so revealing
My heart heals from the tragic loss
The loss of my dear human being

Canyon Gateway

The anniversary is a tricky event
I think an invitation should be sent
For one remembers and the other just went
It might be a thought stuck in cement

The years pass by and soon we see
Branches of life in a giant tree
The tree is life and gives a plea
Stay, please, just stay with me

There is no need to hear the thought
It isn’t anything nor part of a plot
Listen carefully, you will be taught
Your life, your love, we’re totally caught

We see the event as part of a ploy
We play and laugh, each as a toy
I look at him and he looks so coy
The game is so fun and totally joy

So, the anniversary can be spent
Remembering our blessed event
Or, it can be fun as it was meant
Full of love and joy, angelically sent

Hawaii Sunset