Beauty Manifested

An early morning walk with my old dog

Under just a thin sliver of the moon.

Then a quick drive to meet up with a friend

To run eight miles and back to the Jones Falls.

As I drove on the quiet Fayette Street

Toward where we planned to start our morning run,

I saw red-or’nge almost mushy sun

Rising just above the eastern horizon.

Thin clouds that stretched a line from north to south

Looked as though they had pierced the morning sun.

A landscape beautiful to remember.

The trip was in pursuit of running to

Running water that would be by our side.

We share a love of water rushing as

We run together in good company.

Approaching the falls, I spoke of the sun

Reflecting on its beauty like the falls.

And as we ran the “back” of out-and-back,

The water was no longer by our side

But drizz’ling down from a now mid-gray sky

Enough to cool but not enough to drench.

Beauty manifested for us again.

Finding beauty in very many things

And very many people whom I meet

Brings serenity to a crazy life,

And happiness, making my life complete.

So if I were to offer just a thought

To anyone who’d care to listen now

I would say, “Take a moment to observe

And find the beauty and joy in the world

Around you.” Then take a very deep breath

And pause a moment. You’ll find—life is good.