Great Blue Heron

Today the Great Blue Heron stood

Master of stealth by the near wood

On a grey day in misty light

Appearing in silence; his plumaged sight

Aroused the heart to sudden bliss

And all of Nature seemed a kiss

Upon the sombre soul of man

To wake to the wisdom of a plan

Exceeding thought, exceeding mind,

To beauty breaking on the blind

And narrow view we hold within,

To mystic vision and life begin

Anew and soul a deeper view

Afford and greatness touch the few

Who dare to exit ego's home

On this green patch of rock and loam,

Awakened from the dull finite

In every presence catch delight,

In every atom feel the power

And God in an eternal hour.