the cecropia moth's final resting place

three feet off the ground

in a hollow of the old cedar tree

is an altar of sorts.

and in that sacred space

i laid the cecropia moth

my husband found

lying lifeless in the street,

mostly intact - save a

tattered wing.

i imagined how many

others passed it by,

but he saw beauty

in a broken thing

and thought

to bring it home

to me.

-stacy wills (5/16/2011)

unfurl yourself

unfurl yourself

into the grace of beginning

that is at one

with your life's desire...

-john o'donohue (1956-2008)

green is such a hopeful color

after the rain, i stepped outside

and found squirrel waiting for me

on her favorite perch in the cedar tree.

we watched a red-headed woodpecker

swoop down to tap out a message

on a hollow branch. it seemed urgent, but

neither of us could quite make out what he was saying.

the world is so green this time of year, i said.

green is such a hopeful color, squirrel replied.

yes it is, said i, and we were quiet for awhile.

-stacy wills (5/3/2011)