The Best Part
The best part of walking in the woods is
stopping,
observing,
and hearing the tap of a woodpecker,
patiently searching the trees to discover her,
sharing the solitude that isn’t
with the trees, birds, earth and God.
The best part of walking in the woods is
plucking cedar tree needles,
caressing them to your nose and inhaling the aroma,
not one long breath, but two,
or snagging a dried leaf from the ground,
crumbling it in your hand and welcoming what
it tells you of birth, life, death and surrender.
The best part of walking in the woods is
hiking up a hill and the experience of your
heart pounding so hard it is audible,
feeling the most alive you have ever felt,
and so very grateful.
The best part of walking in the woods is
noticing some squirrels chasing each other
and remembering once again
how crucial it is to play.
The best part of walking in the woods is
being blinded by the reflection
of the sun on a creek,
and realizing how marvelous
the gift of sight truly is.
The best part of walking in the woods is
being there.