Onward I Go

by Marion Bolding

I arrive. Heritage Shores Nature Preserve. 

My heart is heavy. My breath is shallow. My body is tense. I walk. 

I keep walking. A bright red cardinal leading the way. 

I sit. Clouds, a cool breeze. Traffic and airplane in the distance. Birds singing and bees humming close by. I am. 

Onward I go. 

The marsh forest. Grass, bushes, trees - all green, yet all different. I sit. Birds of all sizes. Calling and answering. A rabbit hushing by. Prickly pear cacti with bright yellow blooms. 

Onward I go. 

The shore. Brown sand, blue water. Gentle waves. My heart is lighter. My breath is deeper. My body is relaxed. I sit. 

Fish jumping. People talking. Kajaks floating by. Alone again. 

Time stands still. 

Fish jumping. People talking. Kajaks floating by. Alone again. I am content.

Little crabs everywhere. Hurrying away as I get closer. Finding protection in the sand. I move on and let them be. 

Onward I go.

Trees. A gateway. Opportunities are abundant. Courage to explore, to discover. I walk through. I stop. I turn around. Same trees. Different perspective. 

Stop. Pause. Reflect. Cherish the moment. Be present. Tomorrow will come. Birds are singing.

Onward I go. 

The marsh. Gray, brown, and muddy. Yet full of life. I sit. Birds picking in the water. Fish swimming. Turtles sunning. A great egret joining the scene. Bright white. Observing. Waiting. Majestic. 

Nature. 

Beauty. 

A bird is calling. A bright red cardinal. It must be time. 

I leave. Fulfilled. Connected. Happy. 

Onward I Go is written by Marion Bolding, FTS Certified Forest Therapy Guide, Seven Springs 2022 cohort.