Sensual Impressions

It is an early spring day in late April. Sunny with some clouds. Warm, but not too hot. The sun is bright and there is a slight breeze that tickles my arm hairs now and again.

I hear the distant song of a sparrow the drumming of a rough grouse calling to his potential mate. The creek gurgles incessantly with the melt water of a long and snowy winter.

The grass from last year is dead and not yet regrown but for the light green of tender new shoots. I see a single early flower. I feel safe and vulnerable at the same time. The warmth of the sun on my body intermixed with the occasional coolness of the breeze. I feel at peace and yet empowered in my sense of belonging to this place.

The breeze picks up. I feel goose bumps arise on my skin. The breeze gently caresses me like a familiar lover and, for a moment, I feel life flowing through me. I feel loved by the Sun, Earth, and Sky.

In the distance, I hear the rythmic knocking of a wood pecker's industry.

There are no bugs, save an occasional fly buzzing lazily along.

Suddenly, I feel a gentle splash of water on my knee. Then another on my back. A small dark cloud has drifted over me and is sprinkling me oh so slightly. Normally, I would seek cover from the rain, but in this moment, I choose to embrace its cool splattering on my skin.

I hear a "cluck cluck cluck" coming from somewhere near the pond. I wonder if it's a wood duck. I can't see it. I am o.k. with the not knowing.

I pull my hand along a frond of fir feeling silky smoothness of the needles. I move my hand to my nose and inhale slowly and take in the sweet smell of balsam.