ONE RAINY NIGHT

It rained all day at the cabin…and was still raining on into the night 

so we left our feeders out a little longer…for the birds to get one last bite.

When it was time to bring the feeders in…a raccoon was there to dispute

she was doing her best to extract from one feeder…seeds, and nuts and fruit.

 

From the moment we noticed her on the porch…

we tried to make it clear…

that this hungry and wet raccoon

had nothing she need fear.

Because of the rain we welcomed her to our porch…

didn’t tell her to take a hike…

Instead we left our feeders out 

and told her…to stay as long as she liked. 

Throughout the evening we kept checking on her.

She would turn and catch our eyes…

It was as if, in her own, way she was thanking us

for feeding her…and keeping her dry.

One time when we checked on her

she was on the railing nestled in a comfortable heap…

having eaten her fill…and a little dryer

she had fallen fast asleep.

The last time we checked

we looked from the feeder to the rail she had been sleeping on…

then up and down the porch…but our little friend was gone.

So feeling happy we played a part 

in keeping her safe, warm, dry and well fed

we brought the feeders in for the night

then headed off to bed.

For the animals that populate the mountain

life can have it’s share of misfortune, troubles and pain…

so we were happy for this evening we were there

to comfort this one raccoon 

who decided to come in from the rain.

 

MOUNTAIN STORMS

 

One of the advantages of having a cabin in North Carolina

is we have front row seats…where we sit protected safe and warm

to witness the weather changing across the mountains…

like the coming of a storm.

It’s like we’re attending a free concert.

It begins quietly…her dark clouds moving slow…

And all that nature asks is that we sit back…and enjoy her show

Those dark clouds block the sun…in the middle of the day

and in the distance we hear the drumming of the thunder

like a marching band announcing a storm is on its way.

If the storm has enough intensity…it’s a treat for ears and eyes

as the thunder claps and lighting streaks in flashes across the sky.

If the storm occurs at night after the sun departs the sky

the lightning puts on a fireworks show…like it’s the 4th day of July.

We hear the thunder in the night…like angels cymbals crashing…

and the only time we can see the rain…is when the lightning’s flashing.

I think my favorite storms, however, are the bashful ones

the ones that move across the mountains without making a sound 

and when they arrive they just as quietly 

place their raindrops on the ground.

We can see these storms approaching…

across the mountains and the plains…

and we have to listen closely…if we want to hear the rain.

The loud storms are the rock bands…

where we want to stand up, dance and cheer

The quiet storms are the symphonies….

where we close our eyes and let their music fill our ears.

We don’t have to purchase tickets…parking is no problem…

There is no tall person sitting or standing in our way…

Our seats, the only seats, are in the front row…

when the storm begins to play.

Our job is a simple one…

as we watch storms come and go…

to marvel at the wonder of nature

to sit back…

and enjoy her show.

ALWAYS SOMEONE MISSING

 

When you think about it…

no matter how much love is in our life

no matter how much laughter, hugging and kissing…

during every birthday, holiday or party

there is always someone missing. 

Someone in our family…our ancestry…

who were in this family long before…

or perhaps someone we knew…

who isn’t with us anymore.

Any member of our family

who now reside up in the stars…

those who have in some way

helped create the people who we are.

We remember the ones we’ve lost

as we celebrate on any day

and thank all the others…too many to count

who’ve left us along the way.

And we try to be thankful at our celebrations

(For they wouldn’t want us to be blue)

as we remember those relatives we’ve lost

as well as those we never knew.

And the way we celebrate this ever-increasing crowd

is to live the kind of life

that would make each family member proud..

To fill our lives with love and kindness…

laughter, hugs, and kissing

so we will, too, will be remembered fondly

when we’re the one who’s missing

FOR THOSE WHO WILL COME AFTER

 

We are all meant to live upon this Earth…

only for a little while…this reality is clear

None of us know when we will experience our last day

last month…

last year.

Since we know that life is short…

from the moment we appear

shouldn’t we try to radiate love and kindness

while we’re living here?

Shouldn’t we be loving, welcoming and accepting of everyone?

Shouldn’t we look for beauty in all we see?

Shouldn’t we try to love every creature on the Earth…

as we do our friends and family?

Shouldn’t we do our best to end hatred, prejudice and war 

and laugh and play and sing and share…and smile a little more?

With that in mind I offer you a smile and my love…

and please before this day is gone

Take my love and smile I’m giving you…

and kindly pass it on.

You can pass them to your friends and family…

but also to anyone you greet…

at your work…at the store…

to a stranger on the street.

In a world where so many of us are encouraged to be miles apart

separated by our religions, colors, sexes, shapes and styles…

perhaps the distance would seem shorter…

If we measured it…in smiles. 

If we fill this planet with kindness, love and laughter….

in the short time we are on

We are leaving behind a beautiful legacy 

for those who will appear 

long after we are gone.

WHY DO WE COME TO...

 

Why do we come to the mountains?

Why do we embrace every animal…every tree?

Could it be we come to the mountains

to visit nature…to breathe…to feel free.  

Why do we come to the water?

Why along her shores do we stroll?

Perhaps it’s one way to replenish our hearts,

one way way to enliven our souls.

Why are we silent at a sunset?

Why does a sunrise make us smile?

Perhaps they allow us to put the ills of the world behind us…

If only for a little while.

Why do we wander among the flowers

that paint their colors on the ground?

Perhaps we love being surrounded by the splendor of nature…

to feel her beauty all around.

Could it be nature lives by a different set of rules…

unlike the rules of man…

that nature does not stick labels on herself…

the way that humans can.

Nature shows no prejudice…no sexism…

there is no homophobia and misogyny filling the air.

No abuse, no hatred…no bitterness

No racism anywhere.

Nature accepts how all of nature is different 

living life in their own way…

she loves the way these differences come together

the way they dance a beautiful ballet.

Nature celebrates her variety…

She strives to keep all her species alive…

She knows without this wonderful medley

Nature, herself, wouldn’t survive.

Perhaps that’s why we come to the mountains, 

to the water

To the sunsets

To the flowers

To witness nature’s beauty and diversity…

To experience a world different than the world we’ve created for ourselves…

To encounter life…as it was designed to be.