Morning Walk

I can feel it -

time tick tick ticking 

in my joints, age tiptoeing 

through my body like fog 

creeping, inch by inch,

through a silent forest.

Did life feel as precious

all those years ago when 

things were still

undiscovered territory,

that stimulating blend of dreams

and dread, and I thought, 

truly thought, 

I alone 

could shape my destiny?

I am at peace.

Aches of all kinds - 

heart and mind as well as flesh -

are familiar now. Somehow,

by God's grace, they become 

the strong, neutral warp strings 

 supporting my gossamer woof. 

And come what may,

that which He weaves 

still radiates the colors of 

life and laughter 

and love.

  

I walk in the woods,

distracted from aching this-and-thats by a

blue flash of joy winging his way

expertly through tangled branches.

A chattering bushy gray tail shows off and

effortlessly climbs a hundred feet -

or more -

up, up into the black oak's arms 

stretching skyward through the canopy.

The water is still at the reservoir and

so is my soul.