Deep cold settles and smooths the river.
Waves are replaced with the dark, hushed calm of ice.

In the quiet of night, the moon shines twice—
in the sky and also shimmering on the dark mystery of Wild ice.
As if the moon and the ice-bound river
were greeting one another, saying ‘Namaste.’
“I see the light in you and we […]

For the peace and promise of a sunrise.
The quickening of breath that comes
when we take in the beauty of our surroundings.

For the mystery and humility
of daring to see how we are all connected.

For the opportunity, over and over again,
to choose joy.

For waking up every day to the unknown
and the courage to walk into that day.

For […]

Hold close your Wild spirit
as this nation churns.
Cup your hands around it
like you would a candle in wind,
preserving your flame.

That source—your Wild nature–

When the press of humans and our panicked frailty
are just too much to bear
and it feels as though nothing could break through
the chatter and commotion we cause,
there are portals quietly waiting for us to enter.

They take many forms, these openings,
these passages that take us beyond our usual understandings.

Portals are not free of charge
they ask us, […]

An opossum came calling last night.
Unfortunately, my dog answered the call.

He has a thing about opossums in his yard
and it’s not a very nice thing.

After some discussion, he agreed to go back inside.
And I was left to assess the scene.

Walking up to the rumpled opossum,
it looked like the story would end here.
But there was something […]

‘Merry’ or ‘Happy’ does not fully reflect
all that is present during holidays.
‘Joy’ is closer, with its arms wide open reach
that delights in happiness and bright new faces
but does not turn […]

Just before sunrise this fine winter morning
the familiar stars of Orion shimmer,
with his belt and his sword,
keeping watch over the night sky.

It’s quiet now, a hushed silence before daybreak.
Dappled clouds promise a sunrise
graced with shades of pink and orange
and the particular lavender of winter skies.

We slowly grow accustomed to darkness
this time of year.
Better to accept […]

For the peace and promise of a sunrise.
The quickening of breath that comes
when we take in the beauty of our surroundings.

For the mystery and humility
of daring to see how we are all connected.

For the opportunity, over and over again,
to choose joy.

For waking up every day to the unknown
and the courage to walk into that day.

For […]

When all you can see is a world relentless in its harshness
may you be wrapped in the beauty of a gentle autumn day.

When it feels like we shall never find understanding
may you lay down upon this earth, on soft, solid ground
look up at a sky filled with wonder
feel the ground beneath you
and recall how wholly […]

It’s time.
Time to return to the peace of a true night sky,
where stars smile down with cold, yet welcoming, eyes.
Time to go where sounds matter, where distant sight informs.
Where my senses can safely and surely expand
beyond my carefully constructed civilian walls.

Too long among human dwellings,
I shrink from the constant barrage.
The endless noise that rattles forth
from […]