by Mark Weinrich

A spontaneous nudge
stopped me in the path
to hear the gentle brush
of breeze upon the cattails,
its soothing sound was
like a fan’s caress on
a hot summer night.
Quieter than the sweep
of waves upon the beach,
but with the same invitation
to release everything and
to lose myself in the calming 
voice.

I thought of the screeching 
cries of Red-winged blackbirds 
who claimed this marsh
the rest of the year. Their
obnoxious calls would have drowned
out the breeze’s gentle rush.
I was so grateful I had paused
to allow the Spirit’s calming
presence to wash the wounds
of my day. For it’s in 
the hesitation
after the nudge when the
Spirit gently speaks.

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Mark Weinrich lives a creative life as a writer, photographer, musician, and artist—all wrapped together in an outdoorsman. He is a retired pastor and nine-year cancer survivor. His writing and photography have appeared in over 130 news stand, inspirational, and literary publications. He has sold eight children’s books and currently has two fantasy novels on Kindle.