As I was walking across the land

I glanced and saw the glorious set

Which in its fiery peaceful glow

Bid me stop and be renewed.

The vision was perfect in all its parts:

An airbrushed sky, a gradient blend’t,

And marshy ribbons woven seamlessly into the dusk.

The glory exuded such love and care

And spoke so clearly to my purest parts

It seemed no accident—could it be?

That this sight was made for me?

The silent water so clearly mirrored the peace above,

I came to remember how the wise men say

All beauty reflects the light of God.

As I admired such truth made manifest,

A small fowl happened upon the water from the banks.

The ripples from its tiny feet

Cutting across that perfect plane.

But as I went to him with my rebuke

I stopped amazed at what I saw;

For this little bird, playing its little part,

Had not disturbed but enhanced my view.

Its ripples as if with every stroke

Shouted in affirmation of the glorious sight.

The duck appeared to gently say:

Be still and know that I am a part

Of this glorious Creation in ways unknown to a sinful heart.

And because I am as one with my Creator bless’d,

My disturbances disturb no less.

I stopped and marked this mystical thought,

How it is said man is a balance between spirit and flesh,

The mark of God’s image upon the earth.

‘O teach me your wisdom’ I shouted out,

‘As one so close to heaven must surely know.’

‘How too may I trod so gently upon God’s earth,’

‘That His harmony in me be manifest as in you?’

Gently, gently, the fowl in wisdom said,

With thought and care like my little feet

And gradually, lest my ripples crash like the waves of the sea.