The Herd

We walked among the grazing herd,
their nostrils flared,
their dark eyes stared,
their big ears tracked our every step –
like sunflowers following the sun.  

We knew our hearts had passed their test,
they did not move,
let us pass through,
inviting us to quietly join
their afternoon prayer circle.

Last week a dear friend and I went to the Drala Mountain Center to honor his mother who had recently passed away. As we exited the Great Stupa a herd of 26 mule deer emerged slowly from the woods; rustling through the dry grasses searching for new young shoots. They allowed us to walk down the path and through their group. Several walked slowly alongside us, like our own personal team of docents translating the healing messages of the forest.

Rest in peace Jan.