Nature’s Delight
By John Herlihy

God’s endless gifts they do abound,
Nature’s delight does lie all around.
In perfect silence, with much to say,
What it offers cannot be given away.

May the earth offer up to us its age;
May the sea reveal secrets of a sage;
May I lay on petals of a wild flower;
May I wander as cloud in God’s bower.

Warm, golden sun spread like butter;
The river in a glade begins to mutter.
Winds whisper loving thru soft lips;
Butterflies drink nectar in quick sips.

May chipmunks run on as if in heaven,
May they frolic happily with their brethren.
May star light fall in my heart to rest,
May waning moons linger on request.

Colors of the rainbow merge and grow;
Whiteness in clouds do fade ever slow.
Illusions disappear as a desert mirage;
Exotic smells linger in a wild corsage.

May raindrops fall gently on my head,
As the ghostly mist from the valley fled.
May the sun brush my face with light,
May a gentle breeze whisper its delight.

I observe, I gaze, I seek hope, I wonder;
Nature’s delight sounds with thunder.
Let my soul be enlarged, I am so little;
I squeak and wail like a peasant fiddle.

May holy silence provide the peace I seek,
May God’s lasting mystery keep me meek.
May children delight to hang off tree limbs,
May nature’s delight fill my heart to the brim.

Let the trees listen to my soul emotions,
Let the wind mimic my heart devotions.
I am notes of a melody my flute shares,
Let me eyes lift up to express my cares.

To be lost and at home in nature’s way,
In the dimmest past of the ancient day.