In my last post, I told you guys about a certain walk I took and one of the lessons I learned. If you haven’t read that post yet, you can find it here. What I didn’t say in that post was that the story about Abrus precatorius was but one of the lessons I stumbled upon that day. As is often the case when I take a long walk with a mind to listen, the entire walk constitutes observing and drawing connections, praying, crying, and learning. Some of the lessons stand out clear, while others register on a more subconscious level; some get recorded, and others are tucked away, only coming to light later.
So, today I’d like to share something that got recorded right away, that very day; a poem that began to take form as I sat by the lake in the cooling twilight. It’s a simple thing, and it leaves a lot unsaid, but sometimes it’s better that way, don’t you think?
The Poem of Lake Minneola
I took some time to wander for a spell
Observed the trees and listened to the the leaves
Stalked through the grass and haunted the glades
Talked to the squirrel, made acquaintance with the snake
And learned its name
I patrolled the lake and danced with the breezes
Catalogued the vine and admired the fungi
Absorbed chef d'oeuvre, breathed the instruction
And sought direction
Blessed be the Lord, who has made all things well.
May you, too, look upon creation and see in it, first and foremost, the beauty of the Lord.
And, in case you’re wondering, the name of the snake I met on this walk is Plain-bellied Water Snake. He and I sat and stared at each other for a long time.
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