Robert Schout, Santa Fe, NM

"In the Shadows of the Morn"

In the shadows of the morn a trail reaches out and pulls at my pant-leg.

Though the world's eyelids open, unable to slumber while luminescence expands
secret ponds spring from unseen submerged fountain-heads on a still darkened path.

Arbors harbor hidden views of life's plenitude encountered only as the sounds of twigs and 
grounded leaves that crackle in the under-brush, moved by creatures not yet visible to naked eyes.

Passages through thickets where most fear to tread, afraid of the slightest barb that might pierce
the fragile hopes and transient dreams held tightly to their breasts,

reveal the strength of nature's will within us, offering transcendent, universal truths
from a billion of our brethren's souls in miniature form

buzzing, crawling, slithering and scampering through the woodlands,
fluttering on a breeze, holding nature's irrevocable wisdom just off the pedestrian path;

'be what you were created to be, persistently move, adapt, change, grow, and slow when
necessary, surrendering to forces you can't control; you're alive, so fully live.'

All lessons can be learned along this path in the shadows of the morn.