A Sense of Place Within
I sit alone on a hilltop,
gaze over the valley
we called home
together.
As a new year approaches
I feel a gentle longing
that has somehow become
a welcome friend.
This, the twentieth time
the calendar changes
without your hand on my shoulder,
your kiss on my cheek.
I close my eyes,
feel the winter sun warm my face,
hear the whisper of the wind
and distant bells of a team of horses
as they work the land nearby.
I smile inwardly
with recent memories of
watching our sweet grandson
as he finds awe and joy
in just about everything.
My mind drifts back to raising
our children together,
seeing the very same in them.
I open my eyes,
notice the softness of the sky
above Mt. Blue.
I’m so grateful for
the time we had here together,
and that I know now
to wrap myself
in the downy comfort
of Love interwoven
as I cultivate
a thriving
sense of place
within.
Sarah Carlson
December 31, 2021
