when visiting my muse
I have come familiar
with the neighborhood
that surrounds where I stay
while doing what I call
a shuffle-jog
something
I came up with
to minimize
inflammation
in my arthritic joints
because I refuse
to stop exercising
and I have found
no better way
to nurture and calm
my churning mind
always thinking
lots of stuff
whether deemed
valuable or not
(my muse thinks
and thinks too)
well anyhow
on these runs
two stoic looking trees
Eastern Redcedars
Juniperus virginiana
have become
symbols of strength
and reassurance for me
they stand tall and defiant
as if to say
up yours
bring it on
together we can
withstand
anything
the Nature gods
throw at us
and that’s how I feel
about the bond between
my muse and me
as two becoming one
in resolve …. being there
for each other
not only overcoming
whatever life
presents before us
we’ll find joy ~ hope
and fulfillment
like these two trees
within our acts of defiance
Image & Words by ~Keith Alan Hamilton~