A window opens

and my spirit slips outside 

I see

creamy moonlight slanting through leaves

silvery moss growing on the trunks of old oaks

wispy clouds lingering on far-off mountains. 

I befriend 

red-tailed hawks,

turkey vultures,

two blue herons who live nearby,

a gopher snake slithering across the dirt road. 

I feel 

no fear, no worry

only an explorer's heart

ready for discovery.

I know

this is the place

I've always been headed.

Wild

Shrouded in green

Free.

I am a native Texan who has lived for the past 30 years in Southern California. I am a published author of both short memoir and fiction, a two-time Pushcart nominee, a nationally award-winning writing coach, an editor, as well as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas. In addition, I am the mother of three grown daughters of whom I am extremely proud, a grandmother of four darling children and the wife of a man I still love after 44 years. View all posts by lenleatherwood