| Like a monument rising high above is a marvelous dry creekbed awaiting my presence. The path is rugged, rocks of all shapes and sizes inviting me to climb. Fallen trees and rotting branches lay among the freshly fallen leaves now decaying. Carefully, I place one foot here and there, watching my footing closely. As I vigorously assend the trail, I marvel at the beauty in this place. Listen to the wind...it sounds like a waterfall as it increases in intensity. Leaves are gently floating to the earth, one lands on my shoulder. Time and again, I am abruptly greated by a spider or her web. Butterflies are flitting about looking for a speck of moisture. Numerous birds join a chorus of welcome into their santuary. The sun is casting a variety of shadows in the woods adding an enchanted feeling. Some timy delicate white wildflowers with yellow centers adorn the embankment. Rocks as large as I and ones just the size of my foot seem as if fallen from the sky. They are piled in irratic patterns, some tipping precariously, others jutting skyward. Gingerly I find my path upward amid the cascade of stones. Dead branches and fallen trees clutter the pathway and criscross the embankment. Some I climb over, others ducking under, while one I tetter along as a bridge. Those fallen ages ago are rotting and adding new growth to this place of beauty. Moss and damp leaves hide the irregular footing beneath. Occasionally I fall through the debris with a jolt and surprise. I step cautiously forward...Ready to move ahead...Looking upward... As I climb this pathway in this enchanted woods, peace and tranquility fill my soul. God takes my hand and leads me safely upward and onward...At peace. October 6, 2002 (c) * Note: This creek is at Mary Greene's farm on Dry Branch Rd., Fayette Co., Ky. This poem is dedicated to Mary Greene for her efforts in bringing peace and tranquility into the lives of others by sharing her beautiful place with those needing solitude. |
| As I sit here by the river as the water ripples by, I think about my life and its ebbs and flows along. Much time I wasted hoping things would change for me, But nothing ever happened, not like nature here I see. A motorboat full of fellow travelers Disturbs my peace and tranquility. The waves flare up and thrash with anger, As they crash along the shore. Ripping and tearing at the rocky ledges Eating away the earth inch by inch. The turbulence become violent As serenity is no more. Slowly the waves begin to settle down Peace and tranquility once again restored. A chickadee's loud shrill breaks the silence With a pitiful cry for help. A persistent cricket sings his lonesome song. A noxious crow keeps harping for attention. Now a frog harshly joins the chorus. Their noisy rhapsody in tune. The tall weeds seem to sway in rhythm. As this song of life seems a plea for hope. The clouds are gathering overhead As the cool evening air descends. Time passes slowly here...restful... There is no rush to leave. But the sund rops behind a hilltop. Bidding farewell to another day. The silence again is broken By the travelers rushing home... As they disappear into the distance My anxiety is no more. The sun bids its last farewell. And I salute this lovely day. For God has shared this spot with me And brought calm within my soul to stay. (c)Oct.6, 2002 *Note: Setting - Kentucky River Mary Greene's Farm - Dry Branch Rd |
| Climbing High by Marilyn Dixon Pfanstiel |
| As I drove down Dry Branch Road, all feeling of time evaporated. It was as if I were transformed through that archway of trees To an enchanted place calling out to me to come...to stay...to Be. It was beckoning me to stop...for the moment...Now... When I turned off my car engine, there was a silence...no, rather a stillness. What had caught my eye calling me to stop, was a pile of stones Selected from the creek & erected beside the embankment. Like an alter to the God who created this beautiful spot... In this time...here...Now... I crossed the grassy roadside and marveled at the triangular structure. Created with stones of a variety of shapes and sizes chosen with intent. Slowly I edged down into the dry creekbed and selected my stone. I carefully added it to the monument and smiled pleasingly. Then I looked around and reveled in the beauty that surrounded me... Silently...pensively...while feeling joy in my heart. For a moment, the peace and quiet made me feel as if I were the only person in existence...here...Now... I squatted down in the dry creekbed watching the antics of a variety of butterflies. I reflected that if God created such exquisite creatures There must be a reason for their existence as well as mine. I was enthralled by each one's uniqueness... the miriad of colors, shapes, And yet their delicate and frail design as I watched them open & close their wings. I looked up to see the trees looming overhead on the hillside On the other side of the creek as if stretching upward toward the light. The warmth of the light filtered throught the trees warming my body. It seemed to penetrate my very being...my heart and soul... The tranquility and serenity of this scene was captured in my cellular structure. I felt at peace...happy in this marvelous precious world... At one with the Universe...and all that is in it...and all that is... Here...Now...at one... Marilyn Dixon Pfanstiel © Sept. 8, 2002 Dedicated to Mary Greene Dry Branch is in Fayette County, Kentucky |
| I am at one. Marilyn Dixon Pfanstiel |
| Emerging Courageous Online Magazine Marilyn Dixon Pfanstiel, Editor-in-chief |
| Silence is Broken by Marilyn Dixon Pfanstiel |
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| Marilyn Dixon Pfanstiel |