so happy

an ode to the netherlands where i lived for 2 years

this weekend
i was blissfully happy
in my quiet way
on the bus/train on the way to
maastricht
a weekend getaway to charlemagne country
the fact that there was some kind of fire somewhere
that ground all train service
to and from utrecht to a halt
and turned what should've been
a two hour train ride
to a 3 1/2 to 4 hour ordeal
didn't dampen my spirits
i love the dutch countryside
i can't get enough of looking out
a train or bus window
at all the perfect little rectangular pastures
all of them bordered by little canals
reflecting silver like a mirror
as we speed by
so the effect is as if the netherlands
consists entirely of thousands of little islands
side by side
many of them lush green patches
with grazing miniature ponies
sheep, cows, horses, deer
ducks, geese floating along the waterways
bird flocks forming abstract patterns
in the sky and then
settling into the rows of trees
now mostly leafless
the low clouds, setting sun
lending it all a magical aura
my eyes wide taking it all in
hoping to memorize it
remember it
forever
and i think to myself
i have never seen anything so beautiful
so peaceful, so perfect, in my entire life
and i have seen great beauty
i have been to lake tahoe, yosemite, kings canyon
maybe it's my sentimentality
maybe it's just the state i'm in
my heart is filled to bursting
and in moments like this
i always think
i'm so lucky
i'm so happy
i could die now

i could die now

i could die now