I am closer to the end of my life,
And a long way from my beginning.
Of course, if you were born in my decade,
Then you could say the same.
Over the past dozen years or so,
I began identifying what is a dream
It doesn’t make sense, and unless I’m rich or lucky,
It’s not something that I will ever realize.
A section of ground (640 acres by definition)
Ringed by high mountains, hanging glaciers,
Some ponds, a creek or river, and quiet and peaceful.
Some open pasture land and a few livestock animals.
The main thing? I don’t want to see another smokestack
That represents a solitary soul…
Hmmm… My dream is isolation.
How can that be? I’m not tired of people,
Nor is my ministry bereft of folks on the same journey of life.
I enjoy visiting with strangers at the local market.
Along the way, I’ve made some territorial friends.
And I love getting in my truck and driving to town and visiting.
What gives?
I read the history of magnificent ranches and farms of old.
Ten’s of thousands of acres, and by horse, it’ll take a hard week to cross.
It’s not that I wish for all the responsibility of a massive spread.
But the idea that to find me, you must be looking for me,
And be willing to commit the effort to get to me.
Wait. Maybe that’s not the truth.
Isolation, at least to me, also means having my loved ones near.
Accessible. Part of my life and enjoying being a part of theirs.
After all, if my dog is lonely, then we get him his own dog.
And then I wondered, did my dog really want another dog on the property?
Life is not successfully lived alone, as in the story of Robin Crusoe,
Or even as Tarzan from lore and fiction.
Even these two foundation stories wanted a connection to others.
One shipwrecked—the other a foundling. But to get what they wanted,
They needed to find civilization. For one a return, and the other?
A new experience. But they yearned to connect.
At last, maybe I understand me a little bit better.
Newly married, and through the years, we lived in cramped apartments
and neighborhoods packed tightly with people. Then the day came.
First house, a little spread, the distance between me and thee has stretched.
And the distance idea has grown. Now, 5 acres of ground is not enough.
So, let me expand my desire.
That dream I’ll never realize here on earth.
But if yearning and thinking is truly where I’m at,
Then, a view of reality is a must.
The ending of life in the next 30 years?
Well, it just may be impossible to achieve,
But let me restate my desire. Expand on it, if you please.
So. Give me a section (640 acres by definition.)
Ringed by high mountains with hanging glaciers.
Oh, that’s a resplendent natural A/C.
Some ponds, a creek or river, and a quiet, peaceful spot of earth.
Snow and ice, good winters are a must.
Cool in the summer. Oh, feel that glacier at work.
Some open pasture land and a few livestock animals.
Some strays to manage, like our cat, Tater Tot.
My dogs are porch puppies, so the house must accommodate them well.
A fireplace or two, and ready stacked rick of dried logs and kindling.
Stone. Wood. No carpet, just a few scattered throw-rugs.
Okay, maybe a log cabin, but only a single story.
Why? As I age, I find stairs are a bane when they used to be fun.
Rocking chairs for me and my bride, books to read,
Chatting with friends, making connections with distant neighbors.
By the back door, my work boots lined up by need. Slippers for the house.
Notice what’s missing? Electronics and the need.
No high-speed internet, nor computer by one’s or two’s.
It’s a trip back in time. Not even a party line.
No contraptions. Just a solid view of the past.
Now, let me pause… Anchor my memory—a dream of possibility?
It’ll come only if I work hard or find extreme luck along the way,
These dreams may truly be realized.
How, you may ask, so ask away.
My answer only brings more questions,
So I’ll say. Simple, though true,
Heaven’s only a breath away.
Genesis 2:8 NKJV
The LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden,
and there He put the man whom He had formed.
Revelation 21:1, 10-11 NKJV
Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth,
for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away.
Also there was no more sea.
. . .
And he carried me away in the Spirit
to a great and high mountain,
and showed me the great city,
the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,
having the glory of God.
Her light was like a most precious stone,
like a jasper stone, clear as crystal.
Thank you for reading.
Please share with others.
It helps me get my book written!