Freedom
Wild "Cracker Horses" in Paynes' Prairie Preserve State Park
What words tell of the ethereal,
a quality elusive
yet conceived of universal longing.
Every life cries for the chance
to run free,
to be one with the wind.
Even in the depths of night
beats a dream of desire
to let potential rise.
So creation wails,
“Release me!”
Let me dive, let me climb,
let me explore. . .me.
I was not made for fetters,
for within my breast
a cadence beats:
freedom, FREEdom, F R E E D O M!
Note: The wild horses of Paynes’ Prairie Preserve State Park are descendents of the first horses brought to America by the Spanish explorers. Free to roam 21,000 acres of grassland, these horses have never known captivity. The park is located 10 miles south of Gainesville, in Micanopy, Florida. I chanced to photograph these horses shortly before sunset on a warm winter day.
Compelled by Love
Compelled by Love
From depths within as if I would burst
Wells a fire born of Love’s grace
Compelling release of power sweet
As spring lashed rain
Yet mighty as eagle’s down.
What impetus, you ask, fills your breast
With beats of fife and drum
‘Ere in woodland, plain, or marsh you press
Onward, bearing Charity’s gift
To crippled, lame, and lost.
‘Tis Father’s mantle running red
Through Son so pure and holy
That bound my wounds,
Kissed tear-stained cheeks,
And whispered, “Come, dance with me.”
I cannot halt this journey
For all must hear Wind’s engaging song
Of ardor rich beyond measure
Freely lavished for all;
This, eternity’s greatest treasure.
Note: My wish to you during this festive season is that you would know true love so rich and full that welling up within you it overflows on all around.
Lady in Waiting
The lady endures through unending night,
Her surface a witness of composure.
Still holding fast the dream of morning light;
Belying secret pain without measure.
For within her depths lurk memories dark,
Of untold hardships and private anguish.
Regrets of deferred hope have left their mark,
On youthful fantasies left to languish.
But then shatters darkness’ hold all around,
As streams of living color spread their holy glow.
Life floods her tortured soul with love now found,
And trust renewed for each day’s ebb and flow.
For all this simple truth is plain to see,
Live in light day and night and you’ll be free.
Note: I took this photo at Long Pine Key in Florida’s Everglades National Park during the pre-dawn twilight hour. The placid lake waters reminded me of a woman, beautiful on the outside but hurting deep within. With this thought in mind, I dared to pen a sonnet in her honor.
Winged Rainbow
Purple Gallinule
A rainbow drawn from the sky
Given wings with which to fly
Propped on golden toes so long
From lily pad stage she clucks her song
With sun’s rising at six o’clock
Breakfast served of spatterdock
Add a side of grasshopper meat
Finish with a minnow treat
Fly, then climb o’er rushes standing tall
Summon you mate with piercing call
Choose a sequestered place to rest
Together secure a floating nest
A clutch of speckled eggs her reward
Brooding duties not ignored
Soon seven chicks run all around
Sporting coats of midnight down
Until the time of transformation
When bursts forth living coloration
Shades of purple, blue, bronze, and green
Red eyes, and orange beak with which to preen
Seems it was the Creator’s delight
To make a humble rail a beautiful sight
Note: I found this Purple Gallinule along Anhinga Trail in Florida’s Everglades National Park. The bird’s striking beauty inspired me to photograph her ( no easy task as she was a lively lady) and pen a poem in her honor. The female distinction is for poetic convenience only. Male and female Purple Gallinules are similar in appearance.
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