Joyful Ruins

If I can say thank you

to that which

I’ve had to say goodbye to

I would thank

the Sycamore Tree

Her white trunk

and golden leaves

The magical moment with him

under that tree

I’d thank the mud

covering my boots

The wildflowers

on Blue Stem

creating color

while the world warms

The birds

that taught me

who they were

with their calls

The snakes

which rode the rushing streams

and rested on the floating logs

teaching me

again

to not fear

the fearful

The bugs

so many kinds

bending down

and looking closer

wheel bugs

leaf hoppers

beautiful spiders

and more

What joy!

Nature did not betray

I am thank for her

and those

who always were themselves

I say goodbye

taking all the good you gave me

and leaving behind

all the bad