In shadowed mood, I river-walk
see heron in the gloaming-light,
and deer that shyly peer, then sprint
in white-flashed flight to rock-strewn beach.
Is this happiness, or calm release
of anger stored, of finding peace
in the susurrous wind sighs–
a promise, hope’s rise.
Lillian has asked us to use the word happy–or some form of it–in a quadrille for dVerse. It usually makes me feel better when I take a walk, and especially if I see “my” heron or some deer.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
The things you see on your walks, Merril, beautifully captured in poem and photos. I love the internal rhyme of ‘deer that shyly peer’, it made me smile.
Thank you very much, Kim. I love seeing the deer, especially if I’m close enough to see them looking at me and sniffing. They’re so graceful.
I can really feel how those little glimpses of life may act as a cure and bring some level of contentment that is very very close to happiness.
Thank you, Björn. Yes, contentment is probably the right word.
Serenity for sure, but the last stanza … oh boy … interesting context to ponder.
Thank you very much, Frank. Interesting that you find it so. 😀
Love the sound when I read these words aloud:
“finding peace
in the susurrous wind sighs–
a promise, hope’s rise.
I do almost always feel that a sojourn in nature can bring blissful happiness….a kind of calm that seems to be missing often in everyday life. Enjoyed this very much!
Thank you so much, Lillian. And thank you for the prompt. I wasn’t feeling particularly happy, but writing the poem did bring me some happiness!
‘white-flashed flight’ – utterly beautiful phrasing!
Thank you so much. I really noticed the deer’s tail as it ran the other day!
I love this piece so much. You had me at the first line!
Serenity can be found in nature, and it’s almost like meditation when we let go and just immerse ourselves in it. It can definitely be freeing. Beautifully written!
Thank you so much, Lucy. You write the best comments! Yes, you are so write about being in nature.
Calm probably. The wind is always moving and so are our feelings. Happiness is so hard to grasp. With nature is about the best place to look for it though 🙂
I agree (of course). Thank you! 😀
🙂
Lovely poem and beautiful photos! I love the deer as well…they are serene creatures. They are so very graceful and alert. I could watch them for hours, but, they are too quick for that!!! 🙂
Thank you so much. I do try to stand still for a while, but. . .😀
Let’s hear it for “hope rising”. In Japan, folks pay to get a Forest Bath, a trek into the woods to recharge, and recalibrate; works for me.
Yes, and I get to do it for free! 😏
I love how your walks inspire you, Merril. I think that fawn in the far right photo has its eye on you! So sweet!
Thank you so much. That little fawn did for sure! 😀
Your morning walks must always be some sort of source of happiness. How can they not?
You stop and see the beauty in whatever shape or form. Always lovely
Thank you so much. I’m so pleased you think so. The wind was too much yesterday and today–so no walks.
I really do.
And here, too. My goodness it was wild! I had to make a fire as my thermostat decided not to work and I can’t go out for another 12 days to buy a new one! ‘Course, a fire s so much nicer… Woke up to our first snowfall, to boot.
Oh my! We don’t have a fireplace (making a fire without one is not recommended.) I’m definitely not ready for snow yet.
Definitely not recommended!! I’m so happy to have a slow bunting wood stove. And no. I want either…
Our house is old, you’d think there would be a fireplace. . .
You would… On well. After our ice storm, we had a wood burning stove installed (the fireplace we had was useless and we couldn’t stay in our house for two weeks)
If we cannot turn to nature for happiness, where may we turn? Excellent quadrille, Merril.
Thank you so much!
My pleasure!
Nature has a way of restoring our “balance wheel” when all else seems a bit much. Your poem and your photographs are a welcome breath of fresh sir!
Thank you very much! I’m so pleased you thought so.
Yes, so true Merril. There is a peaceful happiness in nature. Nature is not influenced by the news that hits us daily, so there is where I find happiness.
That’s so true. Thank you, Linda!
Nature is like a healing balm… politic and rhetoric are like tornadoes and hurricanes!
I love the calming nature of this one.
Thank you very much, Dwight! 😀
so strange to see the deer with the city behind them! Nature is the best place to look for peace of mind, I think.
Thank you very much, Sarah. Yes, the park is right on the Delaware River across from Philadelphia.
Sigh … this is incredibly tranquil and serene. 💝 I have been admiring your photographs on both Facebook and Instagram 🙂 Nature has a way of restoring peace back into the soul.
Thank you so much, Sanaa! Yes, it does. 😀
You’re most welcome 🙂
Lovely verse, with that easing assonance in the last lines. + a great photo of ‘your’ deer across from the factory (our deer come down the rail lines from the coal mines at night and feed around the steelworks) – nature (or deer-ness at least) is irrepressible isn’t it?
Thank you very much. The park is right across the river from Philadelphia, airport and shipyard I think that’s the shipyard in the background, but it could be some tall buildings. It’s not a great quality photo. 😀 But yes, nature is very adapatable.
Nice work
Merril. I think peace is a form of happiness for sure. We have a blue heron that comes to our river from time to time. Where were these pictures taken?
Thank you very much! Oh, I guess I forgot to caption the photos–they were taken at Red Bank Battlefield, National Park, NJ.
Love that white-flashed flight, Merril. Spotted one just outside the window yesterday morning & I think she potted me, too, stepping up to get a better look, so all I got was tailflash.
Well done.
Thank you so much, Ron. I don’t know what it is, but there’s something special about that white flash.
How peacefully sweet is that?!
Thank you! 💙
Wow, you captured this so wonderfully. It was an enjoyable read.
Thank you very much!
I love this moment of serenity, and how you’ve woven your 44 words into a beautiful rhythmical metre, gentle like a walk in nature. I also love the use of compound words, they work so well here.
Thank you so much. I was really working on the sound and rhythm of this, so I’m so pleased it worked.
this is calming and serene with a lovely rhythm.
Thank you so much!
Luv the calming mood of this poem, i think there is some happiness stored
Have a nice week
Much💙love
Thank you very much!
Beautiful. Sometimes immersing ourselves in nature can give perspective to our lives — I think you have done that here.
Thank you so much!
I like your hyphenations
Thank you, Derrick. They were necessary for the word count, but I like them, too.
Crafty
😀
I can feel the release. (K)
Thank you!
Very soothing — felt like a safe sanctuary. A promise, hope’s rise — brought a sigh of relief. 🙏
Thank you so much! Yes, everything is so stressful now. I’m glad my words brought you a bit of peace.
I love this poem, particuarly the question the second stanza poses, which immediately grabbed me. (I think you may be been inside my head again.)
Thank you so much! (And as long as you don’t mind the company.) 😏
I welcome the company. 🙂
😀
Walking can be a panacea to our woes. I need to walk a lot today – so much tension in the air (waves)!!!
Yes, exactly, Pam!
Loved reading your poem as always.. Pictures are too good.
https://swarnaz.com
Amen
Thanks.