In the Company of Trees

When I was a child,
my mother used to say
"Go outside and find someone to play with!"

Hesitation was replaced
by a secret hope
as I ran out the door
to the woods
behind our house.

Contemplation
while sitting on a log
filled my heart with green calm.
Surrounded by peers
at school all day,
I needed the quiet
of leafy meditation.

The sunlight streaking through
the trees spoke to me of other places,
other times.
I could listen to my heart
in the company of trees.

Remembrance

The kids had just gone back to school
and a perfect blue sky
refreshed my morning, until a phone call.

My mother said, "Please turn on the tv!"
after the usual greetings.
Was this a joke?

I saw the images
repeated again and again
of planes crashing.

Only one thought was clear to me;
go get the kids! Get them now!

Son 20 minutes away,
daughter just over the hill.
Husband in harms way, working
for the government in suburban Maryland...
I felt like a slinking cat,
suddenly aware of dangers
everywhere.

I got in my van and drove
without calling first.

I picked up my son,
I picked up my daughter,
and we waited at home.
Ten and five... no explanation
made sense to them.
It was a beautiful day,
and we were inside waiting.

Nothing made sense
but to wait until we were all gathered.
The silence was dreadful.

Kayaking

Water shining smooth
I am paddling with vigor;
a kayak in flight.

Watching the swallows,
breathing in the warm sunset,
a sense of return.

Contentment rises
like the pink moon's reflection.
I would change nothing.