Other Worlds
Several years ago I was admiring the fourth cutting of Hay for the summer that my eighty acres had produced. I had no way to bail the hay so I share cropped with a neighbor who had all the necessary equipment. This particular afternoon I was looking for signs that would soon enough be visible to the physical eye. The coming of fall with all it's great colors. Summer always passed so quickly. I'm sure it was quickly due to the lack of attention afforded it in my busy years. There was always much to do, then much to be done that followed. My teen age sons had headed for town and I had some well accepted time alone. I was grateful. Personal space. We all need to escape into that special place now and then. Doesn't happen much in our busy years. Still, it's a place held dear to the heart. Quietly surveying my kingdom I raised my arm to place my hand upon the Blackjack Oak which stood in the middle of the back yard. I would now and then lean against this tree for a moment and rub my back. My Upper back. As my arm began it's journey upward, the Admirable Bird
(a six month old hawk) came running past in great hast, wings spread. Behind him came Heidi and Black Eyed Susan. Smiling at one another as if to say, "Ok, when this dude turns which one of us is going to scoop him up?" The other would smile back saying, "Well...think about it babe, depends on the direction this Bird darts." Two four legged little black female hunting dogs.
With such soft mouths. They actually raised Admirable. Brought him food. From their Kal Kan's. Played with him till he passed out to sleep at which time one or the other of these sweet little Souls would very gently pick him up and place him in his very large cage. A mean hand never touched these dogs. They retained an innocence...child like. Quick to learn and eager to please. Such show off's. Today was another day of encouragement on their parts to get their now full grown friend to fly. He sure could run. Other days from out of no where he would appear and start chasing the girls as they stood together watching him come. Big smiles would erupt on their faces and the game was on. After covering about forty feet together with him running up the rear, those fine wings spread, they would look once again and smile at each other, then laughingly split in separate directions. Admirable was a fast learner. He would just stop and stare at both as they came back together several feet away and laughed at him like silly little girls. Now, as my hand came to rest upon the tree, I was jolted through out my body by a horrified scream. The scream may have been in miniature but the vibrations were powerful enough to move thru my human form. I turned to look and there falling from the tree was a tiny, pale green Inch worm. So light in weight, falling so quickly. I remember thinking..."Don't move. You may step on him. I hope I did not hurt him and that he won't be when landing on the ground." Squatting down I watched for a few seconds. He began crawling so I picked him up. "I feel so terrible about this." I said to him. "I could have hurt you terribly. I'm really sorry. I promise to be very careful from now on. Please don't leave. Unless you think it safer else where." Turning to the tree I placed the little Inch worm upon it and stood back. Watching me for a second or so He said to me..."I too must be more careful. I'm only an inch worm." "Oh, no" I said, "You are Soul living in that tiny body for this journey around the world. Like all of us, you are special, you are a spark of the Great Spirit." "Ok" he said, "then I shall be off, thank you." He turned and began his ascent upward. "I invaded his personal space" I thought. "Still...he spoke to me." Wow, what a sweet moment in a way. Thank You Spirit. As I turned to go inside for lunch I spied the shape of a feathered tail disappearing around the side of the house. "What a fine place I live in, what a Beautiful gift."
