Reflections from the Arbour

I sit beneath my arbour

Nestled away from the world 

Cocooned within her floral walls

Nature all around 

For this is my place of peace 

My place of stillness 

My chance to reconnect 

Recharge 

An oasis of beauty at the end of the garden 

The stream softly trickles past

As I sit and listen I hear her whispers of support

She calls to my soul, expressing her desire to help it heal

I accept

I’m ready

Please lighten my load and let my heart be free

Let it be free to enjoy the gifts of the day

Ripples shimmer in a sudden ray of sunshine 

Her crystal clear waters are lit up and awakened

Dancing over boulders 

Skipping across pebbles

Racing on

Providing a constant soothing rhythm

I'm mesmerised

I watch as tiny bubbles form on the surface 

Iridescent crystals appearing and disappearing in a never ending cycle 

The hypnotic trickle soothes my entire being

Relaxing me, slowing my heart beat as I inhale and exhale to the rhythms of nature 

As my mind slows I sense her extend a healing hand

I surrender to her loving embrace

And as I do, she gently carries my worries away 

And suddenly my heart lifts 

My chest rises 

And I turn my face skywards

As I breath in the new day

The heady scent of rose fills my nostrils 

Then comes the delicate aromas of honeysuckle and jasmine 

Drifting in on the breeze 

How did I miss these before? 

The beautiful floral perfumes of the plants around me

Resplendent in their summer plumage 

Bursting with colour 

Deep reds, soft purples, whites tipped with delicate splashes of pink

Each one proudly displays a beautifully crafted flower 

The result of months of tender care 

A welcome reward 

A treasure to behold 

A prized jewel to be thankful for

As I sit there amongst the elementals 

The soothing sounds of the chimes float in on the breeze 

Lost amongst the rustle of leaves as the next gust of air blows in

Nature has so much to offer down here

Trees and ferns, bamboo and flowers, water, air and sun

Every one of the five elements present and in play 

The winds of the four directions all blowing in their offerings 

And through it all Buddha sits in quiet reflection 

Looking on

Offering his innate presence 

For he is the master of stillness 

The guardian of peace 

The protector of this glorious arbour

My little piece of heaven at the bottom of the garden