September Journey

September 2001

This September sky is

unexpectedly dark.

Perhaps I rose too early.

Before this journey

I walked and recalled

the soft quiet

of snow falling

on these dense woods.

The sounds of heaven

are closest before dawn.

Closer still on a moonless path

gathering whispering white flakes

like manna for my starving soul.

Stepping mindfully

my footfalls worship this windless morn

as a quiet visitation

of the Angel of No-Hurry.

No thoughts

of the eventual melting daybreak

that would soon wake my neighbors,

and my enemies.

Jeff Belden, M.D.

Charter Class of 1976