Vibrant Village ™

It once was mine
footsteps on rock by
proud stone passing
barbed wire rusted
time’s truth

Scents of sweet fields yonder
beckon bright
I say yes as
horsetails whisper hello in kind
heads lifting, bowing in
rhythm we walk

Yellow, red lavender shine
white lace dresses
ancient ground shared
hand to hand
blackberries bitter
sweet seeds suckled

En route
above circling hawk
calls unseen prey
upward on
unraveling my stories
spoken and not
through cool breezes
the veery sings to all
a child’s dream

Up up up
at last
my moss encrusted
sanctuary
my trusted old tree rising
still rising
the sun winks at me
through blessed birch

I feel her many hands
caress my face
my shoulders

“You’ve done well”
I wink back
my eyes swimming
in green rivers rolling
rolling forever
ever in wonder
of this Day.

"The Land of Noel Perrin" was written by Jenifer Crowell and was read aloud by one of Noel's friends at his funeral service, on the land.  Ms. Crowell is also a painter, and the painting used above to illustrate her tribute to Noel Perrin was painted by her.