Engaged in My Eden

The moment I enter the trail

That leads to centuries-old trees,

I feel the soft earth 

Beneath my pavement-worn feet;

It has been far too long 

Since I have felt 

The welcoming carpet of needles,

Relieving the pressures of life;

Waterfalls are plentiful as birdsong;

The murmur of traffic is drowned out; 
My worries are washed away

I sit with pen in hand

Upon a mound of earth,

Watching the sunlight

Favour some trees over others

I don't want to leave,
But I have only begun my journey 
I rise to see 
What else awaits me around the bend 

All senses are engaged, 

As my camera tries to capture

Where I am,

But I am no longer in this world

God is with me here. 

Is this heaven? 

I follow the footpath to find out

Dare I approach a bush aflame?

Who needs museums' dusty artifacts?

I am umbrella-ed by foliage, 

Serenaded by a nameless bird; 

There's much to investigate here

Within the pools of life-giving water 


This place is called Charlie's Trail,
But it is God's Trail (and mine)
We are alone here
Though a plane's motor overhead
Reminds me
To the city I must return;
Passengers may be on their way 
To a vacation;
This is mine
A holy day, communing 
With my kind Creator

I journal via video, 

Keepsakes to treasure;

I divert from the path,

Led by a minstrel making music

With water over descending stones

Below a universe upon a branch;
High above, a woodpecker flits 
From tree to mossy tree,
Taps out its own beat

A fly quickly buzzes past; 

A sunlit berry, not yet ripe,
 Invites me to return
But I am not ready to leave 
Just yet

I query to the hole 

In the bottom of the tree:

Is anybody home?
My heart replies, 
"Yes, I am" 
Here, 
Where I marvel at so much -
Mystery and majesty,
 Much like my God

I prune a branch of dead leaves,

Watch them drift in the breeze,

Fall to decompose 

Upon the ground

I stand, upon a rock, 

Solid, my footing is firm,
My spirit is getting there
With this dose of relief
From the bothersome bustle
That waits beyond these borders
Of cedar and calm

I bring with me a bough 

And a sacramental stone

(As I depart 
Into the full light of sun)
Tangible reminders 
Of when I was led 
Beside quiet waters
And my soul was refreshed 
---
June 21, 2017