December 22, 2011 - 0340

On my drive home I saw a huge buck in a forest preserve. He was standing in the fog and mist and I was inspired. I actually said to myself "I wish I could paint or draw that scene." Instead I wrote these words.

What I Saw This Morning 12-21-11

My drive home is usually bland

On autopilot I wind the roads

Never a standout moment

Rarely a story to tell

This morning it was was foggy; misty

A hazy, dangerous way to be

Making my trip to my dogs

And the warmth of my bed

This morning, as I shivered

Despite my heater heating my car

A sight rose from the fog

Appearing through the mist

Its red-tan hair shone with the dew

Its ears flickered as it listened

For approaching coyotes

Or for approaching people

The large rack of antlers

14 points of bone and glory

A hunters dream

A predators nightmare

I quickly scanned my right

Changed lanes and slowed

This glorious animal needed

A closer look, a more detailed glance

The steam puffed from its nose

As it scanned the horizon

The roadway where I drove by

The least of its concern

I wanted to paint this beast

To draw the magnificence that was

The power, the strength, the beauty

Of the protector of the herd

I slowed as traffic slowed

I stopped as traffic stopped

But the image remained

Burned into my mind

As I drove away from the light

I wondered, if I had seen him

At another time, another place

Could I have been as moved

December 5, 2011 - 0300

I was driving on the nearby Army base when I heard a variety of sounds. I stopped my car and turned off the radio and the heater so that I could get a better handle on what was going on around me.

Nature Being Natural

In the dark

In the cold

All around I can hear

Nature being natural

I can hear

The wings of an owl

The feathers rustling on

The icy night wind

I can hear

A coyote howling

At the brightly shining

Cloud covered moon

I can hear

Deer in the shadows

Hooves walking well worn paths

In the unmown grass

I am surrounded by structure

Buildings and streets and civilization

But when I stop and pay attention

I can hear nature being natural