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In the Roaring

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In the roaring
White pounding cascade 
I feel the love 
It flows over me, with me, through me
It is me
Wordsworth's "transparent eyeball" *
Like the bare roots of ancient trees that
cover the trail like cobble stones I'm
Integral--I belong
When the bracing water embraces me
I don't shudder--I stroke it gently
Glide out into it's energy
Feel revived, renewed, invigorated
Refreshment not known
Since covid 
I'm hers
She wraps me in her bosom
Of snow-melt run-off
And I am warm
Not trudging from
A cup of coffee to an unmade bed
Day after day
I am alive
As wild, and free 
Timeless and deep
Young, old, and wise
As she
The city beats
I connect with kindred 
In the bars, in the streets
In the faces that I meet 
But plunging into this heaven
Swimming out to these rocks
Where she reaches down from above
Massages my back and shoulders
With her strong gentle hands
I feel like I'm her only child
So much love she bestows
Hikers climb down these steep rocks
To see her glorious splendor. They line her banks
But won't brave her icy hug
Won't get in her
And realize 
We are her
Conquer and subdue
Post an Instagram selfie for some likes
Have a beer
I hear her in the spray 
Spattering the rocks 
She's laughing
And I'm laughing, too.


* From "Nature" by Ralph Waldo Emerson

Copyright © | Year Posted 2022




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Date: 7/27/2022 1:49:00 PM
There's something about being in nature that soothes the soul. I enjoy such moments. This is beautiful in every way. :) Brandy
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Steven Young
Date: 7/28/2022 10:53:00 AM
Thank you, Brandy. You are so right. I have always found comfort in nature. My mom worked for the National Park Service, so growing up, I spent a lot of time exploring, and wandering through beautiful places.

Book: Reflection on the Important Things