LOVER OF THE SKY

I am a lover of the blue sky.
Perfect clouds like a dream sail by;
of a green walk in the wild wood;
of tall trees dripping on me where I stood;
of mist rising up where the river bends;
of the small sweet song of a striped-headed wren.

I am a lover of the burning flame
lit for world peace in hearts the same.
I am a lover of the morning sun,
already radiant the day begun.
I am a lover of the whale, leaping,
of the blue, blue hills in the sunset sleeping.
I am a lover of the eagle's cry,
who sweeps and soars without a Why.

I am a lover of life alone,
of the heart's peace when it's at home.
I am a lover of my old dog's smile,
of his warm brown eyes, of his lack of guile.
I am a lover of the warm spring rain,
of the smell of earth stirring to life again.
I am a lover of the ocean's roar,
of the sandy beach stretching all before.
I am a lover of rock and log,
of driftwood shapes looming through the fog.
I am a lover of clouds, of stars,
of the falling dark, of soft guitars,
of the meadowlark, of the summer breeze,
of days of struggle, days of ease,
of heartfelt love gone away too soon,
of goodbyes under a slice of moon.

I am a lover of fresh-cut grass,
of children's laughter, of dogs I pass,
of babies all innocence and rapture,
of the bent and aged who tremble after,
of the falling leaves, of a job well done,
and I am a lover of beasts that run,
of water that moves and creates its own way,
of the journey made and the price I pay.

I am a lover of brand new books,
those journeys that I never took.
I am a lover of music that sings
songs of the heart, the hope it brings,
and the flight of poems for a brand new dawn
that knows this life is Moving On.

Like the heron, stalk-still at the water's edge,
makes a sudden leap, I am the same.
Poised to dive from a tilting ledge,
the horizon lit with a golden flame,
I'm waiting to hear Someone
call my name.

My Toadly Friends, this poem was written January 31, 2001. But I am posting it here for Ellie's prompt at Real Toads: write about the things you love, the things that get you through. I have been on the edge myself of late. It has been a harrowing few days, given forest fires and distressed wildlife, and I just don't think I can write it any better than I did in 2001. Plus Ellie isn't very strict and she wont get mad at me, LOL. So here you go. From Blue Sky Woman to you, with love.