A Poem Inspired by Public Lands
Cristy Herzberg is a public lands and wildlife lover who splits her time between California and Montana.
A Still Moment
There I stood, staring up at the stars. An endless scattering across the sky. My heart tender like a child. A longing deep within — a lightness. Reminding me, once again, that happiness comes not from acquiring more but from finding deep appreciation for what’s already there. I was instantly uplifted by the powerful force and appreciation of nature. For strong trees with leafy branches, glistening sands
with waves colliding warm and playful. For crisp air, the way my bare feet feel in grass, for magnolias, aspens and mountains. For first kisses, wishes wished on lucky bridges, snow angels, tears shed, musicians, breakthroughs and leaps forward, friendly faces with warm smiles. For inspiration, volcanoes that spew lava and ash and glaciers that flow like rivers of ice, for coral reefs that prosper with life and desert dunes and caves. For cascading waterfalls and butter cups, fall colors, our precious planet abounding with wildlife of every shape and form, from spectacular blue whales that swim in underwater canyons to eagles that soar in the clouds, polar bears that play on snow covered mountains and sea turtles that nest on tropical shores. For rolling thunder storms, crickets at night and rainbows that arch where the rain meets the light. For botanical gardens, birds, fuzzy kittens, puppies and sounds of laughter. For dirt roads that lead to unexpected places, for miraculous moments and sunshine. For the unending reach of sky stretching out before me and for my hopes and dreams. For butter cups, butterflies that flutter, lifeforms that reach down to the earth and stretch up to the sun, those that grow in darkness and in cracks of sidewalks. For roots and strength of trees. For petals, fruits and mountain ranges. For sunshine. Fog lifting, clouds clearing.
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So many of our country’s parks and public lands written about in these love notes would not exist but for the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Congress is poised to permanently fund it as part of the Great American Outdoors Act. Follow the movement along at #FundLWCF. Learn more here. Better yet, take action here.
Would you like to write about public lands that you cherish? Please email Mary Jo Brooks at brooksm@nwf.org for guidelines.
