God’s Country

 

Painting by David Mensing

 

 

I’ve used the phrase often
not with small purpose
when nature resplendent
unfolds into view
breathtaking with grace
where bluebonnet skies
clutching billowed chiffons
meet with lavender rolls
that upholster the earth
between sepia seams
edging emerald forests
and purple-gray foothills
ascending cool slopes
capped by eggshells and pearls
where air has clean taste
scrubbed by fingers of breeze
and waters clear smell
sparkling salted or pure
to imbibe and intoxicate
quickening species
robust and refreshed
through connection by brisk
elemental comingling
of molecules built from
stray bits of far stars
coalesced by the livening
rays of the sun

 

 

(originally posted April 2013)