of these listed items in order to have a “conversion” (change of heart, inspired moment, greater sense of wholeness, refreshed perspective…). All it takes is one small noticing – with deep presence … a dragonfly passing by your window, a shift of breeze, sunlight as warmth, shade for respite. When I write "conversion," I'm not intending that a beautiful moment in nature is a cure-all for the huge, protracted issues we face personally, systemically, globally. But I do suggest that we need to refill our inner well in order to continue on the paths of service to which we are called; nature's healing power can offer that to us.
the thick scent of wet Earth: conversion experience anew
banana slug on path
the perfectly-rolled, dried-up maple leaf and the other huge, perfectly-flat-open, supple
maple leaf
two dozen fat figs ripening on the branches
aching muscles and heaving breath from trail-running
a breeze that suddenly arises, strong, and then quickly fades
the squirrel on the tree trunk who screeches loudly as we pass by
garden lettuce and strawberries warmed by the sun picked sixty seconds ago and now in
my dinner bowl
fresh moss in piles along the edges
a sage-green, agate-white, mousse-black wad of lichen
fur-fortified coyote scat
thin threads of redcedar bark, vertical bliss climbing high overhead
two halves of a day stereotypically blue sky, white clouds, green fir trees, yellow sun:
cleaved by an abrupt torrent of chunky rain for thirty-two minutes
rose petals, snapdragons, peonies, lilies, petunias
and one hairy bee climbing inside pansy after pansy, emerging from each with
ever-thicker golden pollen-socks
the sweet images of burgeoning Earth: conversion experience anew
Having read this, may you consider how you can take a moment for yourself to rest
briefly in the healing world of nature.