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
The earth had been defiled. A young couple had attempted suicide in the park on a dark winter night. A few old growth cedar stumps anchored the path reminding us that ancient forces of life have been here a lot longer than we and our people. Our ranger friend lead us up the path and then off the path, bushwhacking down to a spot under a cedar tree. He had asked earlier if we would come and help cleanse the area.
That dark winter night one person had second thoughts, and called 911 on a cell phone with a fading battery. It was enough for the first responders to know generally where they were. Attempts to return the call failed, but they set out with a Search and Rescue dog. One group came in from the top of the park and another from the bottom. The rangers house was at the bottom. They knocked on the door and were able to get the Ranger couple’s help since they are the caretakers of this land and know it better than anyone else. Eventually the couple was found, thanks to the efforts of all, including the dog who was able to locate them. They were evacuated and taken to a local hospital with life threatening wounds. Later, word got back to the rangers that they survived.
When we got to the spot, Psalm 24:1 was read: “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. The world and all it’s people belong to him.”
We prayed for the young people who came to this place so desperate. We gave thanks that their lives were spared, that the forces of life were stronger than those of death that night. We understood that because they came to the park, they were able to be rescued. If they had gone somewhere else that may not have been the case.
We took pure water from a spring that bubbles up near the path then joins the creek that runs through the park. We poured the water out as a symbol of life and cleansing. We prayed the water would be cleansing to the earth and renew it along with the gentle rain and our prayers.
We ended the ceremony with this Celtic prayer:
In time of sorrow:
May you see God’s light on the path ahead,
when the road you walk is dark
May you always hear, even in your hours of sorrow
the gently singing of the lark
When times are hard may hardness never
turn your heart to stone
May you always remember when the shadows fall
you are not alone
Walking back to the bottom of the trail where our cars were parked we noticed the sun’s setting light in the tops of the trees and remembered the first stanza of the prayer: “May you see God’s light on the path ahead, when the road you walk is dark”. We talked about the Japanese and Korean custom of “Forest Bathing”. It is a walk in a forest as a way of relaxing and managing stress, while breathing in the healing aromas of the forest. This whole experience was indeed cleansing for both the land and our souls.
I am paying close attention
to the birdsong
this spring.
They stop me at the window
in the yard
on a walk or
on the way to the car.
“We have something to say to you!”
“Are you listening?”
As a small girl
I would lie down in the cool
shaded grass
looking up into the green leaves
deciphering the birdsong
code –
the chattering, whistling,
singing from one branch
to another:
“Come to tea!”
“Don’t forget to feed your babies!”
Now they are singing
sweet reminders:
“Slow down,
no need to rush.”
“Don’t take life
so seriously.”
“Enjoy this moment with us.”
“We have a secret
we want to sing to you.”
© 2014 Julie Clark
I didn’t deserve this
I didn’t plant the seed or bulb
I didn’t tend or care for it properly
It was just there when we moved in
Then the blackberry brambles took over
and one day my fearless sons decided
to clear them out
and oh yeah, I forgot there was a camellia under there
and now look what is happening
grace upon grace
undeserved favor
is smiling on me
with every open bloom on this bush
This time of year
I am grateful for the evergreens
When their fickle deciduous neighbors are
Shedding their colors right and left
Clogging up the drains
All bare bones and branches now
The evergreens at least
Are holding out
Not making any
Hasty decisions
Except the ever always decision
To hang onto what they have
As long as they can
And keep reaching
Towards the sky
© 2013 Julie Clark
We have been back in the area for over four years now. We have a regular walk at a beach park nearby. It’s so close, just a 5 minute drive from our house down a steep hill and along the shore until we arrive outside the park in the neighborhood of houses overlooking the Puget Sound. There’s a small parking area in the neighborhood that most people don’t know about and a side entrance to the park that only the handicapped with their vehicles can enter with a special code. We just park down the road and hike into the side entrance. The main entrance and parking lot are a way up the hill. You park there and hike a mile down to the beach. Then a mile back to your car. That entrance is much farther from our house but we sometimes hike up to that parking lot and then treat ourselves with the beach at the end. Depending on how much time we have. There is a lovely family that live in the park in a tiny little two-story cabin. They have lived there for a long time. They are the Ranger family. Just up the road beyond the side entrance are large expensive homes, but theirs is the best. They only have to walk through the meadow onto a path under the train tracks to the beach. It’s a wonderful beach ever-changing with the tides. Eagles and Herons are common sights. Sometimes we see seals. Just heard a pod of orca whales were across the way. You never know what you are going to see so the best thing to do is keep your eyes open and pay attention. Today, we were especially noticing again the huge stumps of old growth forest. I can’t get enough of them. No longer living but giving life to the trees that have rooted on top of them. We were curious and wondered if there were any living old growth trees in the Park hidden away somewhere. So we asked the Ranger when we saw him. He said no, but told us where we could find some not too far away. Now we are going to hunt for those trees. There is something about standing near one of those giants that have been living on the earth for hundreds of years. It kind of puts things into perspective. He also told us the Chum are running up the creek. We did not see any today but will keep our eyes open for the next time. The creek is lined with red alders, some firs, the old growth cedar stumps and I don’t know what else. The Ranger was describing how he enjoys smoking the salmon he buys or catches. We laughed together at what we heard about the Lewis and Clark expedition. When they got to the Northwest they got so tired of Salmon that they traded with the Tribes from the area for dogs so they could have red meat. I can’t imagine ever getting tired of Salmon and I have never knowingly eaten dog! As we were leaving the park he told us to wait a minute while he went into his house. He came back with a pack of smoked salmon for us! What a treat. We came home and had it for lunch with a salad and cheese and crackers. We feel like the luckiest people sometimes. So many amazing people and places. The world is a treasure.
Wind and rain
are good for waking a soul
from slumber
No sleep walking
when there is
a shaking, blowing
bracing wind
to contend with
and rain dampening
the leaves
scattered and swished
into patterns
as if a giant mixer
had them in it’s bowl and turned them out
across lawn and street
red plum, orange japanese maple,
yellow birch
Let my soul be awakened and shaken
My life lived
full of patterns and abundant in colors
alert to the possibilities
of each new day
that half closed eyes
may miss.
© 2013 Julie Clark
The Garden Path
The Garden Path
Was obstructed
First by orange plastic fences
And bulldozers
Wait
Next year you’ll see
The Sun Flowers
Then the secret door
Was locked
Don’t give up
Look for another way
It was there
Opening to
Fountain and flowers
This time the path
Blocked by yellow flowers
Push them aside
Let the air fill with
Their fragrance
How do we know
What to do
When our way is blocked?
We walk with the
Gardner
Waiting to be asked
© 2013 Julie Clark
In the Joslyn
Maurice Utrillo’s
Road to Puteaux
Makes me homesick
For Paris
I was there long ago
I never saw that street
The lone, wind lashed
Poplar of
Monet’s Village Street
Beckons me to remember
The Poplar lined streets
Of Central Asia
© 2013 Julie Clark
The birch in my backyard
Is tinkling and twinkling
In the afternoon light
It’s silver green chimes
Catching the playful breezes
As they swing by
Flexibly swaying
As the cedar
Pushes against it
Competing for the sun
How far will you
Lean and bend
Accommodating
This pushy one?
He much stronger and thicker
But you are built for dancing
I foresee you will get around him
In your stretch to the sky
© 2013 Julie Clark
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