[at-l] A poetry session (slightly long)

[ATnavi@aol.com (ATnavi@aol.com)]

It's been two years, gang, since I landed back in Florida and got myself back 
on my feet again. I was repacking some boxes last night and came across some 
notes that jogged my memory...worshiping at the corporate altar dulled a big 
part of me. I haven't written ANY poetry in a long time. But two years ago, I 
was visiting Earthworm this very week and, after a couple of hikes with her, 
got inspired to write a few poems and send 'em off to my favorite hikers, 
some of whom were on the trail at the time. I'm not sure I ever posted them 
to this list, so I offer up for you my last snippets of creative verse, with 
hopes I'll be able to summon the muse again soon...

Cheers, Navigator  (poetry below)

POETRY AT EARTHWORM'S,  20 Mar 2000 - 21 Mar 2000

ODE TO THE SEASON
First day of spring
The mountains sing
Serendipity calls to me.
I dare answer
Life conspires
Oh, the places I'll see!


SONG OF THE SALT MARSH   
I sing to thee of grasslands
Lined thick with morning dew
Sun-sparkle on the river
Ripples 'cross the slough

Salt flats, a gleaming white
'neath outspread osprey wing
coots cry their soulful tune
rushes, with points they sting

alligator floats, intent
on finding watery prey
ibises join in flocks 
to celebrate the day.


SENSE OF SPRING     
Green seeps from hidden depths
Like water bursting forth
The mountains cloaked in joy
Begetting re-creation

Silence breaks
The hold of ice dissolves
A single bud, a crocus
Lifts dazed head to the sun

Awaken, hiker, and sing!
The mountains call your name
Murmur their deep desires
For you, to join in spring.


GUTTERAL ECHOES     
Gutters yawn
The sky, crimson
A ferret signals
Alabaster

Thick forest echoes
Eyes of doe
Deep blue, radiates
Touch the sky.


FIRST RITES         
Infused
The woodlands echo
Tiny footfalls
Dance the trail

Unfurled
The fiddleheads beckon
Bursts of green
'mid dry decay

Repealed
The wintery chill
Spring beckons
Can you resist?


MOMENTS         
Stolen
Silent
In boughed cathedrals
Moments
Meditate
Recall the reasons
Believe
Because
Breakthough apparent
Connect...

Nature
Nurture
Our souls to forests
Oneness
Wholeness
Our souls to God.


LONELY PLACES       
Inside
The landscape deepens
In sharp relief
Shadows cast
Upon the canyons

Outside
The echoed cry
Of wolves afoot

Above
Expanse of sky
Expanse of soul

Below
The turgid current
Running deep
Shadows merge
Complete the whole.