Cathedral in the Pines
by Cheryl J. Howell
Dec. 22, 2011
For Don Howell
by Cheryl J. Howell
Dec. 22, 2011
For Don Howell
I walked into the woods. Wow!
Just the anticipation of coming here
Sparks excitement in my spirit.
Before I feel the plush carpet of leaves
And fallen needles under my feet
I feel that joy moving in me.
Joy and wonder do their little dance inside,
While my eyes go in search of delight.
Go ahead, take a deep breath!
Drink in the atmosphere that surrounds you.
The peace here will cause your troubles
To lose their way, let them.
The quiet in this place is awesome.
In spite of fluttering wings and birdsong,
The quiet is so still. I don't hear my steps.
Taking this path hushes my busy mind.
Treetops overhead reach out to one another,
As if to join hands in the sanctuary.
Sunshine filters through the high ceiling
In certain places, pouring out beams of light
Into the cathedral below. Be still my heart.
This is why you wanted to come here—
To pray, to be in His presence, to be touched
By His creation, to worship God—
At the peaceful cathedral in the pines.
© 2011 Cheryl J. Howell. All rights reserved.
Just the anticipation of coming here
Sparks excitement in my spirit.
Before I feel the plush carpet of leaves
And fallen needles under my feet
I feel that joy moving in me.
Joy and wonder do their little dance inside,
While my eyes go in search of delight.
Go ahead, take a deep breath!
Drink in the atmosphere that surrounds you.
The peace here will cause your troubles
To lose their way, let them.
The quiet in this place is awesome.
In spite of fluttering wings and birdsong,
The quiet is so still. I don't hear my steps.
Taking this path hushes my busy mind.
Treetops overhead reach out to one another,
As if to join hands in the sanctuary.
Sunshine filters through the high ceiling
In certain places, pouring out beams of light
Into the cathedral below. Be still my heart.
This is why you wanted to come here—
To pray, to be in His presence, to be touched
By His creation, to worship God—
At the peaceful cathedral in the pines.
© 2011 Cheryl J. Howell. All rights reserved.
Photo by G.W. Grimm-Howell
Black Hills, South Dakota
Black Hills, South Dakota