Late Night Walk

It’s a spring night. The breeze is gentle, the sky wide open and clear.
I head out for a walk, syncing each step with my breath—
six steps in, six steps out. No rush, just breath, just being.

The world begins to open up.
I see the lights of homes scattered in the mountains,
the shape of a tree standing before me,
the sound of a river whispering nearby.

Then the tree waves to me.
I notice its leaves, its flowers, and its branch.
And imagine that it was just a seed, maybe dropped here by a passing bird.
Now it's a tall, calm, friendly tree. Isn't it a miracle?

I smile, whisper a quiet “hi” back to the tree.
Then I keep breathing, keep walking, keep feeling.