The Sanctuary

The infinite sky beams motionless above

As the hush of evening falls across

The land that never stops even for a moment

Out here is a picture of quiet serenity

A painting come to life

Walk out into the snow covered forest 

Under the delicate aspens and Douglas fir trees

Hear the branches and leaves crush under you as you stroll through the endless beauty

The smell of fresh pine and mountain air surrounds you

To some this is a wretched place of solitude

Yet it is a place of untamed splendor 

Transformed into something strangely beautiful

In all the chaos and unceasing commotion of the world

Here is a place of refuge

A sanctuary filled with silence

Take a deep breath 

Forget your worries

Lose all your sorrow for the moment

In this moment

Forget everything

Be lost in the beauty of this creation

Lean against the trunk of an aspen

Feel its papery bark

Stare into the blanket of darkness

Gaze into the sky filled with millions of stars