Mother earth crouches

I must go see the Arbutus that grow along our shoreline and wait for visitors.

The wind persists until sea boils white against the rocks.



I know the trail. Still I slip on the dry ground and narrowly miss sliding over the edge.



Hiking alone, I remind myself to be careful. To step careful.




My next hour stretches ahead of me.



Alas, I cross over to a protected cove and my beloved arbutus trees. Today is a close-up day... an intimate conversation.



New skin is being kissed by the sun for the first time.



Revealing a naked human-like form - a vulnerability exposed.




Captured by the shedding, I admire the bark as it lifts way from the trunk.




Lack of rain is evident everywhere. Small birds twitter and scrape surfaces for small bites. An arbutus is starting  to drop its leaves during a long dry spell.



New wood grows around damaged. My hands can't resist. I reach out and caress.




Death and middle age overlap in timelessness - as one.



I look over the edge...



Seals float lazily as the tide rises and lifts them off their sun rock.



The flapping of a sail being pulled up beats time for the shoreline, the arbutus and my heart.




Mayne Island, British Columbia.

Terrill Welch
Executive Leadership Coach
 
Terrill Welch - A Woman behind Women
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Ambassador World Leadership Day Canada
March 20, 2010 http://worldleadershipdaycanada.ning.com
 
A vision not lived remains only a dream.

"I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life'." Maya Angelou

© 2009 Terrill Welch, All rights reserved.

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