Friday, February 5, 2021

Silence

Without a word I walk to the edge of the field and stop to take in its solitude. I close my eyes, I breath in the passing wind and smell the slight aroma of burning wood and the dust of the long grass. The trees sway in the distance that surrounds me with a high pitched whisper that only God can understand but I feel like it's an invitation-- a small calling of my name perhaps-- to stand among them.

I open my eyes and step past the edge of the field and enter into it, walking slowly into the wealth of the world. The long grasses tickle my calves with their blessing and reach up for the tips of my fingers. Without knowing I do so, I reach down to meet them.

As I come to the center of the field, I slow myself and slowly lower my self to the ground. I sit in the long grasses. I hear the trees beckoning me to come. The smell of the earth closer now, so vibrant and alive. I can feel it around me and when I close my eyes again and listen-- really listen-- I hear the voice of God. I can hear it through the entirety of my body and soul. The voice speaks but I can't understand it. I can only hear it pass through me like fire.

I get lost in that voice. I get lost in the silence of the world it created around me. 

I get lost and I know I am whole.

I am a child again.

Birds fly over me. Smaller critters play and forage through the grass and along the tree tops. Deer watch the child get lost in the field with hardly an interest. The sky burns bright blue and slowly sleeps as the day wears on, turning dim as the hours pass away and the time for night takes its place.

Still I sit in silence. Still, I hear that voice.

Still a child.

Sleeplessness

 In the passing days of the last month of 2022 I find myself-- and i'm sure I'm not alone in this reflection-- a man sitting alone o...