Mountain High Serenity

The panorama definitely
Justifies the climb.
Sitting up here
On this rocky pinnacle,
I have a God’s eye view
Of the world below.
A cool wind
Whips at my face
And the fresh scent of pine
Bolsters my spirits.
The city can be seen
In the distance
Nestled into the foothills.
The ocean lies beyond,
Glistening in the afternoon sun.
Civilization doesn’t seem
Nearly so omnipotent
From this vantage point.
There is a serenity
To this mountaintop vista
That eases my mind,
Causing me to slow down,
Relax, and appreciate
The fact of being alive.

Ojai Night Harmony

The bell tower
Stands before me,
Internally lit,
Silhouetted against
The indigo night sky.
At nine o’clock sharp,
The chimes are heard
Spreading a melody
Through the center of town.
I relax in
Quiet contemplation,
Enjoying the ambiance
Of the square,
The warmth of
A summer night,
And the company
Of my daughter
At a friendly
Old-world style
Italian eatery.
I watch in awe
As a sliver of a moon
Treks past the tower
On its nightly pilgrimage,
Then disappears
Into the blackness
Of the trees below.
The quiet sound
Of cascading water
From the fountain
Behind me
Calms my spirit
As I bask
In the magic
Of an Ojai night,
In absolute harmony
With the world
Around me.