"Panther Meadow" #1

In The Soft Silence.....My Heart

    Mother earth opens her arms to me....
             warm is her embrace,
    "You've returned, my child"
             and I cry tears of gladness.

      I enter her womb, her icy streams...
             which cleanse my dusty feet....my soul.

     My salty tears mingle
             with the life forces rushing to the sea
                         from out of her depths.

     She decorates my body
              with unearthly music of pines,
                        whispering, sparkling lights...
           ...flickering through the trees,
      I am covered with diamonds  and rubies
                         reflecting their glory.

       The emerald velvet on her branches
            heals my spirit...my open wounds,
                       I am no longer bleeding.

       In the soft silence......my heartbeat
            throbs with the sounds of water...
                  rushing as it nurtures all life,
                          ....as I do, too.

       I give silent thanks for all those before me..
             who have fought valiantly
                   to keep her forests standing
       the paths, saving her pristine meadows,
                         the valley......so fragile.

       Vibrant carpets of flowers greet me...
            Indian Paint Brush, Lupine,
                 Buttercups and Mountain Heather,
        they delight my heart as I take inner
                             pictures, imprinted fever.

        Wistfully.....not wanting to ever leave
                 this tranquility, I do.....
              once again calmly putting my life
         in order, priorities in proper places.

        My voyage into sweet shasta, as always..
                        bringing me home.

                                Kay Elaine Ekwall
                                  copyright l999

Copyright ©1999 by Kay Ekwall, KaRa Productions. All of the photographs in this web site are copyrighted by Kay Ekwall. All rights are reserved. The photographs are presented for review purposes only. Any misuse of these photographs will be in violation of the United States and International copyright law and are subject to legal prosecution.