Discover what can gladden you
through and through.

#20 WHILE WALKING

What could gladden me through and through?
The camping fee seemed much too high
for a quiet night’s rest
and a hot shower.
But next morning
five ruffed grouse flushed
from the trail before me
all at the same time.

The sound of each one’s sudden take off
exploded five shots
straight through my heart.

When I found my breath,
the need for counting
had disappeared
and I could not stop smiling.