Even in a pandemic
You can be kind
You can listen
You can learn
You can watch as the sun sets
Changing the colors of the sky
The light changing in the tree tops
Beauty can still take your breath away
Even in a pandemic
You can remember
You can give thanks
You can listen to the bird song
And wonder at the many voices
You can pray
You can vote
You can change
© Julie Clark 2020
Robins
Everywhere
On the wet grass
On the roof tops
In the air
Plenty of worms
For all
In this rich soil
On this fertile hill
No scarcity mentality
Just take what you need
For you and your family
Leave the rest
For the other birds
Residents and guest
Passing through
No need for hoarding
Or commodifying
These tasty treats
Oh that we would
Study the birds
And the fields
And the trees
Like our ancestors
Like Jesus
Learn a new way
An ancient way
Leading to
The path of life
The eagles on Sunday
Circling the waters
Taking turns
Diving for the fish
Over and over
Repeating the pattern
Again and again
The message is clear
Perseverance
Don’t give up.
© 2020 Julie Clark
Yesterday
I checked in with little Julie
You know, my inner child
There she was
In her little dress
Sticking close to me
Every now and again
She would hold onto
The sides of her dress
And do a little twirl or
A little sashay
Then she would sit down
Again on the step
And keep her eye on me
She likes the quiet
She loves the bird song
She’s a little shy
A little skittish
She knows
It is not safe out there
Too loud
Too confusing
Too dangerous
She is sticking
Close to home
Close to me
Where she feels safe
© Julie Clark
When you are waiting
For winter to end
When the darkness
Clings closely to the day
Walk in the gardens available
Look for life signs
Budding on the tulip trees
See Mother Earth wrap her baby blankets
Around pruned rose bushes
See the robins congregate
In clusters in the leafless oaks
Perhaps planning
Spring nesting
Encouraging one another
Keep on keeping on
We need our flocks
This time of year
Find our cozy blankets
Snuggle in and make some plans
Visit the green house and get inspired
With bursts of color
Daffodils and crocus
Even a banana tree
Find warmth to
Free joy in your heart
© 2020 Julie Clark
We need this rush
Of fall color and beauty
To fortify us through
The cold dark months
Of winter
The little creatures
Are preparing
Some gathering their stores
Some with wings
Taking flight
To warmer lands
Some are growing
Fat and furry
For their long naps
Me – I am gathering my yarn
And wood pellets for my stove
Looking forward to long evenings
By the fire
I am hoping my imagination
Will take flight
And I will come up with
Something of use to write
I am in favor of the naps
Though I would prefer
No extra fat or fur
© 2018 Julie Clark
I.
We are given the raw materials
Of our lives
As on the First Day
Out of the chaos and void
Life began
What will we do with
The darkness and light
Will we separate it into a
Smooth transition of colors
As in a rainbow?
It will be anything
But smooth
Full of fits and starts
Smudges and blackouts
As if we can erase
The messes we have made
Yet stepping back
With the whole of life
In view
Of the one who falls
And is trampled under foot
Yet rises again
Painfully struggling
Forward
Into the light
Into the Love
That calls each by name
We see
The darkness is part of the canvas
Entwined with the light
Creating patterns and contrasts
Always erupting in colors at the end
The struggle of life emerging
If we only focused on
The fire scarred trunk
And did not step back
We would miss
The strength and substance
Of the ancient tree
Still green in all seasons
II.
The artist
The gardener
The teacher
The builder
The writer
The dancer
The musician
All participating in
Taking the chaos
And creating something
Useful or
Something just
Beautiful
Adding to the
life that began
When the light
Was separated from the darkness
© 2016 Julie Clark
Lifting our eyes, just in time to see the eagle soaring towards us and then turning away.
Silently above us, searching for fish.
It caught one down the beach and began to break it’s fast.
How many times have I only caught a glimpse?
How many times have I missed it all, head down, worrying some problem in my mind, not present to the moment?
Yet, the eagle is there, as are all the other messengers, whether I see them or not.
But, what joy, when I am expectantly scanning and searching for those messages sent my way.
Today it was an eagle and a seal and an extremely low tide.
It was meeting Michael from DC with his two young boys who reminded me of my grandsons.
It was Debra with her hairless dog making us laugh.
It was Munira, fighting cancer, out for some fresh sea air. We blessed her and prayed for her healing. She said God sent you to me today – the first day of Ramadan.
It was connecting with strangers who become friends, building community in our neighborhood.
A fresh new day arrives
To discover
To explore
To be awake
To be alert
For signs and wonders
Will the breeze carry the whisper
Or an eagle soaring above
Will a salmon leap for joy
Or a child laugh with glee
Who will bring a message today
I never know
Until I open my eyes and ears
All senses tuned
Waiting
Will it be the notes of a song
The wagging tail of a dog
Will it be in a dance with my sweetheart
A kind word from a stranger
Will it be a longing in my heart
Pulling me
reminding me
as I examine sacred texts
That I am loved in this world and
my name is known
In another world
Another dimension of pure
Love and light
Piercing through
Here and now
© 2016 Julie Clark
Harbor grey
as the sky
Fog wisping off
the far islands
Evergreens
holding their color
Apple trees
across the road
ahead of the rest
with their joie de vivre
In full bloom
reminding us
this is the way to live
giving it all, everyday
not worrying about
tomorrow
provision of fruit
on it’s way
On the ferry
a bald eagle
showed us how to fish
from the shore
Made it look easy
with those wings
those eyes
Grateful to live near enough
to these island jewels
Summer time
they are full of
roaming tourists
from afar and
Orcas cruise the channels
Off season
has it own secrets
Quiet strength
building up
preparing for the
Glorious spring show.
© 2016 Julie Clark
It was all there
down at the beach today
we were hushed and in awe
at the glory in the rain
and in the sun
glory in the forest
and in the sea
glory in the fresh air
filling our lungs
in the wind
sweeping by
glory in the bright blue sky
and the deep dark clouds
glory in the walking
glory in the heron
chased into flight
by a pair of labs
glory in our pup
running back and forth
and glory
in the bald eagle
swooping near
© 2014 Julie Clark
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