Day Off

If feels like a long time
since I've had a day off
with the rest of the world

and I bike, hike 2x and watch a man make faces at his baby
who coos and kisses in return.

When the sun sets, pink clouds gather in the east
and newly identified birds call across the valley.

A dog is barking and I close my eyes
and see mountains,
slow slipping away.

And the river, churning brown.
My old friend
who murmurs with folk songs
and tears
and joy
and gratitude.

In conversation,
my mouth and heart form around the qualities I aspire to :
speak the good qualities of others : patience : balance
: kindness : simplicity : integrity : love.