It is with great joy that I can say I have resumed my morning walks.  Over the past months my personal rhythms have been disrupted.  While that’s ok for a time, when the rhythms are life giving and sustaining it isn’t good to let them disintegrate altogether.  I have a regular route I walk, which takes me down a flood plain, through a tended urban park, past duck ponds, deer runs and cultivated flower beds.  One of the seasonal joys is the blooming of the Hibiscus, or Rose of Sharon.  The one I love has a pure white bloom with a deep red centre and it is large, well over 8 feet.  When it blooms it draws me and after I stand under it awhile, I’m restored.  So I was pleased when on the first of my resumed walks, to see it was in full bloom.  After a long hiatus from my life giving walks, my pause under its branches was more life giving than normal.  What (or where) restores life to you?

The Baptism Tree

With the weight and confusion of life
stuffed in your pockets,
do yourself a favour
and stand beneath
the baptism tree.
Reach for a shroud-white blossom
with its blood-red centre.
Bring it close.  Let it caress
your forehead with a wish
of dew drops that can cleanse
clean down to your toes.

Linger there awhile
in the sorrow and wonder of it all.
And when the gift is received
return to your life.  Don’t worry,
this goodness will follow you
all the days of your life
and of course, forever.

© 2018 – Laurel Archer

Photo Credit – LA – Sendall Gardens