Once upon a hill
Overlooking the Ozark mountains
The horizon held in the first morning light
Bowed boughs
 encircle
a 
translucent
 green
framing
 a perfect
 tree-circle
a stained-glass view
of leaf and tree
Sky winds tremble
as leaves wave
 ever so slightly 
hello

The mountain air
 hangs
 still
and then
 lingers 
for just awhile
waiting
 for the day’s currents 
to catch them
I watch . . . I listen
Bella Vista Eagles 
glide on wing
 in pairs

A Great Blue Heron
 flies solo
across the cove 
saying 
goodbye
 to the rock cliffs below

Summer 
Lake Ann
 waters
 Gleam like a thousand diamond steps
Across the waves
Oh, God
 I pray
Rejoice in this day
You give us our day

–scared gifts–
A treasured cove of earth and sky
each framed and signed
by you!

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