“Listen to that”, I said
Turtlesoul smiled and cocked his head to listen
Then looked at me quizzicaly
“There is not a sound”, I said
“There is not a sound that is not natural”.
In the silence I found peace_full_ness and serenity

Even at night the city is choked –
full of man noise
roaring cars and bassin’ stereos
sirens from a myriad of emergency vehicles
neighbors arguing and babies crying
tv’s blaring and trucks on the expressway with
airhorns screaming -
in the city there is no escape

But here, here in this state park, is a respite
from all that
Here, finally, is a chance to rest,
and not just the body, but the mind
and spirit as well
a chance to reflect
a chance to reconnect
to see possibilities
to learn patience from the circling buzzards
to soak in beauty and store up peace
as though in some internal battery

We gather around the “campfire”
inside the travel trailer
drinks are poured
snacks are shared
and souls are laid bare

And we are grateful to be together
in Nature’s Garden, as improved
by Texas Parks and Wildlife