Today I walked into the woods,

stopped, and for a

few seconds, there

was sheer quiet.

My senses sharpened, and I heard

the sweet birdsong,

saw young green ferns,

smelled fecund earth.

In an arch of overhanging

trees, last night’s rain

dropped gently on

the path and a

goose honked his way to some distant

place. A gentle

breeze rippled the

pond as I walked.

Luna startled a blue heron

who flew upward

in its beauty,

and my breath stopped.

All my worries flew away with

such splendor, and

I remembered

to let in joy .

Purple ajuga framed by spring-green grass,

White dogwood framed by a clear blue sky,

Yellow daffodils framed by rich brown soil,

Tiny buds framed by the bark of trees,

White viburnum framed by dark green leaves

Yellow jasmine framed by a light brown pergola.

Small joys pop out in a challenging time.