Zen of the Heron
When you come upon the heron, gazing at eternity, gaze with him.
Witness time as he does, in his secluded inlet, looking out at forever.
Listen as he does, to endless waves, as they lap at the shores of now.
Yet know in your soul, he was standing here, ten thousand years ago.
Feel as he does, the warmth of the sun, as it arcs to another noon.
Delight in the breeze, that smells of the sea, and ripples his tidal pool.
Contemplate his peaceful life, and witness his point of view.
As you go on your way, leaving him there, in perfect solitude.
Being with Trees
When you come into the forest, sit quietly, as if you were not there.
Witness time as the old growth cedars, standing in the stillness.
Listen to them, whisper to one another, the secrets of the seasons.
Look up, through sunlit branches, to see a million greens.
Hear the silence, but for owl's call, and raven's answer.
Feel the strength of towering pines, though bent by wind and time.
Take with you, the peace and serenity, of the ancient old growth forest,
As you leave the trees, returning to, the house of wood, they gave you.
Of Blue Gray Gulls
When you come upon the bluff, sit on the edge, air beneath your feet.
Witness time as the sea birds do, chasing the day from dawn to dusk.
Let soul soar, with blue gray gulls, as they dance upon the wind.
Be with them, in their game of tag, as they wheel about your head.
Laugh with them, as they race and riot, along the beach of life.
Cry with them, over treasures lost, though tides replace the trove.
Fly with them, your spirit high, on spiral currents rising.
As you leave the cliff, with uplifted heart, and the feather that you found.
The Larger View
When you come upon the mountain, where the eagle soars, soar with him.
Witness time as he does, up in the currents, no sound but the wind.
See as he does, the curve of the earth, bending into tomorrow.
Taste as he does, the salt in the clouds, as the ocean feeds the forest.
Watch as he does, over rolling hills, carpeted thick with pine.
Fall with him, through ancient mists, to surprise the hare and salmon.
Take with you, his larger view, from horizon to horizon.
As you descend, to where you cannot see, beyond the nearest tree.
Songbird
When you come upon the meadow, of the songbird, sing with him.
Witness time as he does, as he calls out the rights of spring.
Breath with him, the morning air, fragrant with apple blossom.
Be with him, as he builds his nest, his intended lover watching.
Sing with him, as she accepts his call, smitten by his bright color.
Preen with him, proud of plume, red flashing as he flies.
Wish the happy couple well, in their new home, amidst the trees.
As you leave the orchard, wild flower in hand, whistling their happy tune.
Crabs in the Clouds
When you come upon the Otter, floating on his back, float with him.
Witness time as he does, staring up at the summer sky.
Imagine as he does, of the billows above, crab shapes in the clouds.
Hear as he does, the cry of the gulls, for the clams he dines upon.
Feel as he does, the rhythm of tide that rocks his ocean cradle.
Glide with him beneath the surface, to return with another prize.
Know as he does, that all is provided, by life, and time, and tide.
As you leave the beach, bleach white shells, crunching beneath your feet.
The Giving
When you come upon salmon, running the river, run with them.
Witness time as they do, as if this, were the last day of your life.
Feel with them, their struggle to be, in the place where they began.
Try with them, again and again, to defeat the rapids of time.
Yearn with them, as they give their life, their circle now completed.
Rest with them, as they reach their end, and having given all.
Die with them, and take with you, their passion for fulfillment.
As you leave the river, thinking about, what you still have to give.
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