ODE TO EVERYTHING
Marjorie Maddox

Enough of the lamentations.
Open the window and sing!
The world is awash with
world: color-dripping globe always
tilting into some Ah! or another,
clouds stretching wide plump happiness,
even in the noisy stage-show of showers,
such sunny ovations.
And the birds—
overpopulating every poem—
swoop here for free—
swallow, hawk, robin, gull, eagle—what else
can be written but wings that wave
horizon to horizon?

And enough of windows.
Praise doors! Step out
with arms open, and eyes gathering
vim and vision: grandeur
trailing from worm and woodchuck,
branch puzzles of woods, open boat of breeze—
all brimming with Hey!
and Hallelujah!
and Celebrate! such green giving
of thanks, such miraculous mercy of earth:
calm valley and even this rugged, rocky chain
we climb now as family, claiming praise as respite,
holding close each breaking day, dangerous
yet divine in all
its gorgeous glory.

Opening poem chosen and read by Nancy L.

I felt embraced by the dense, thick under growth of the path… and expanded by the clear azure sky above. A perfect morning to take it all in and breathe in the cool winter air…

Primordial pool

Creatures lurking and hiding

Beautiful glory.

I was in awe observing this heron from about 10 feet — a little pruning here… a little rest there… one leg up here… a look around there… Absolute wonder and joy!

— Photos and reflection by Nancy L.