taking time

 

taking time to see,

to clearly see, the tan

curling, swirling

stance and dance

of sunlit, windblown

winter grass

 

taking time to hear,

to note the chorus,

the lilt and line

of winds passing overhead

through a long-needled,

red-barked, ponderosa pine

 

taking time to read,

to carefully read the tangled

fractal calligraphy

of countless, leafless,

living branch and tree

 

taking time to let seep

deep within

the sweet fragrance,

the shadow and light,

this lasting breath

of earth and life

 

and taking time to never

let pass by unseen

the silvered gleam

of lingering ice

in a trickling, dancing,

softly singing stream