people said "why there?" with
a certain snotty disdain as if
cornfields and combines
straight roads and small towns
were uncivilized
and i smile
because they can't know
that my soul opens up on
the horizon
too vast for my eyes to rest
that every morning my heart stretches
with the land waking up and breathing in
the divinity of creation
identifying with beauty and that morning
devotions are just to open my eyes to drink
of goodness and ancient wisdom too magnificent
for mere words
and my cry of praise becomes the voice of the birds
the dance of the crane delighted to find a spot
to greet his friends on their annual pilgrimage and
catch up from last year
manure is often the perfume of the day or the fresh aroma
of damp grass struggling to live as death gives way to life
massive birds carpet the land not ready yet for planting
yet taking their nourishment as God has orchestrated
unknowingly enlarging our spirits with the symphony of
their presence and song, played out from simply being
living out their created intention
joyfully living without unnecessary ponderence and worry
dancing, embracing, playing, delighting
just another stop on the journey
a communal prayer
