GMC members Terry Lovelette and Sherry King are avid hikers and have thru-hiked the Long Trail. Last fall, the two visited the Hadsel-Mares Camp to celebrate Terry’s 62nd birthday. Inspired by the quiet and the lily pads dotting Wheeler Pond, Terry reflected on purpose, perspective, and interconnectedness. Please enjoy his poem about the experience.
Wheeler Pond
Be still and rest in the silence
Reflections form in quiet waters
A depth of meaning is seen when we look into the moments
The lily pads on the surface form an entryway
With a slightly different perspective
One can embrace the beauty inside of Wheeler Pond
With a bit of courage
We can carry that grace forward upon our departure
Walking with a sense of reverence in our daily journey
Is sure to enable a gait fed by a heart of compassion
And a soul bathed in kindness
Maybe, with a mixture of hope, an essence of empathy comes with us
When we step away from the busyness of life
It is easier to appreciate that there is a oneness to our existence
And, that it is too often forgotten
Each of us comes from the same place
And, won the race of millions at the moment of our creation
Surely, we can recognize our purpose
And see that an interconnectedness exists in us all
Where the marrow meets the bone
In every walk of life
Lead the way with
Compassion, patience, understanding, tolerance, kindness, respect, and love
Be the good that the world so desperately needs
Have a Long Trail story or reflection to share? Please submit your prose and pictures to [email protected]. We may include your stories in our social media or publications, including the Long Trail News.
Well written from a great man!!