Rich Treasures for 2010

On New Year's Day as I read from my familiar devotional book, Our Daily Bread, I was challenged by the author of the short piece to seek small treasures every day. The treasures, of course, did not have to be material in nature; they would be the small nuggets rather from life's daily walk in 2010. I have always liked "listing" poems since they are simply a series of rather concrete visual images. Therefore, I have chosen to use these for my blog this morning in the form of a free-verse poem.

Quietly Joyful Moments in January

In nature –

Taking a forty minute walk in the newly-fallen three inches of snow,
And seeing the heavily-laden branches of the holly bushes with peeps of
scarlet underneath.

Being struck by the loveliness of the fog-frosted trees atop the Boston
Mountains.

Discovering the North Shore of the Arkansas River, Cook’s Landing Park,
And watching the Canadian geese literally “walk on water.”

Having the North Wind at my back on the second half of a three-mile walk, and appreciating once more that familiar Irish blessing.

Seeing a glimpse of sunlight on the east side of Pinnacle Mountain
on a densely cloudy morning.

Celebrating the return of the birds, especially the robins and cardinals,
that twitter and jump joyously before me on the paved path.

From literature –

Quoting from 2 Timothy 2:6, “The hardworking farmer must partake
first of the crops.”

Hearing the author of Handling Sin, Michael Malone, “My sense of
writing comes from listening.”

Finding a Freudian quote, “We must love or we grow ill.”

From family –

Talking on the telephone New Year’s Day to our Seattle “precious
treasure,” four-year-old grandson Cole.

Watching our eleven-year-old granddaughter, Caitlyn, make a
cherry coffee cake after attending a cooking class.

Watching our six-year-old grandson, Charlie, make his first goal ever
at a basketball game.

Loving the quietly joyful moments of reading together with my
husband of forty-five years on a frigid winter’s day.