Cold Spring Hallelujah. Heidi Barr

I don’t pick up the phone

       because there is nothing to post,

       and somehow

       I feel freer

       than I have in awhile.

      5

      Cold Clean Air

      Contentment means

       being present

       in all the ways

       being present

       is possible;

      Moving through

       a snowy forest,

       tromping with a child

       around a blindingly white lake,

       following deer paths

       along icy ridges.

      Inhaling cold clean air,

       holding it close while

       anticipating the scent

       of cedar logs burning brightly.

      Just to name a few.

      These things

       are what is real

       and what matters,

      even though that sly one

       who goes by virtual validation

       would have you believe otherwise.

      6

      Emerging

      A bear wakes up

      in spring

      to get back to the business

      of living out loud,

      breathing fresh air

      moving though

      days with intention.

      Maybe a person

      in spring

      can do the same—

      get back to the business

      of living out loud,

      breathing fresh air

      moving through

      days with intention.

      We creatures

      are not so different

      from one another

      if we pay attention

      to the things of living

      reminding us what

      it means to thrive.