If I Had Gotten My Way

If I had gotten my way
I wouldn’t have seen
the light fall softly
on a particular leaf in a particular way.
I would not have witnessed the
branches held by light,
or the fading sun turning
emerald into a pale chartreuse
   Before the darkness fell.
I wouldn’t have seen
how the breath of the universe
gently moved the leaves
that offered no resistance, only
shimmering with pleasure & peace.
If I had gotten my way
I would have missed this twilights gifts.
I would not have been embraced by
the harmony and the magic of the woods.....
The plethora of birds that followed my movements.
The fish that jumped 2 ft out of water with my passing.
I wouldn’t have felt the movement of air
as the blackbird flew swiftly over my shoulder.
I would have missed the displaying gobblers
with their blazing red heads and fanned out tails
trying so desperately to make an impression
on their unperturbed hens.
I wouldn’t have seen the ducks fly in
to gobble up our offering....
I wouldn’t have experienced the serenity
In the twilight of this day
   If I had gotten my way.

Reviews

[Emily B]

you made me think about how often I have gotten my way and missed the blessing . . . this work is so light-filled, so full of peaceful rhythms and amazing beauty. You took me there with you, and I was glad for all the times that I haven't gotten my way.

[Ed Hart]

after a while we don't even have an "our way" anymore

when i was a young boy, i remember thinking that all roads should be straight, and one of the things i was going to do when i became king of the world was to straighten out all the crooked roads...i wonder if anyone gets their own way and doesn't live a short life...