In a courtyard in Santa Fe, I sprawl in a sun-bleached, wooden chair, caressed by the warmth of the afternoon sun. I'm enthralled with the beauty of this surrounding area where gravel roads and the absence of street lights and power lines, evoke a feeling of attunement with nature.

Through squinted eyelids, I observe the landscape's muted hues of gray, green and lavender, which are sometimes punctuated with splashes of red. In the distance, unfamiliar birds chirp and fuss amongst unfamiliar trees. The beauty of these intermingled desert shrubs and trees, accompanied by the strange bird sounds, awaken a sudden alertness within me, and also a strong desire within to paint again, to feel brush and canvass in hand.

This gorgeous landscape has evoked such pleasant feelings, that I feel I should somehow capture and preserve its essence and that of the long, low adobe styled homes that peek out, here and there, from behind the profusion of trees and shrubbery.

Here in Sante Fe, the elevation is high and the air is thin, and being a visitor, I'm unaccustomed to this altitude. Suddenly I feel strangely excited and "light-headed." I become immersed within a drifting, dream-like state, feeling as if I were afloat in some far away, timeless realm.

A scurrying lizard startles me from my reverie! The little critter seemingly touches my foot as it races past me and across the yard, disappearing so fast, that I'm now uncertain that it was ever actually here.

I retreat into the house and return with a sketch book and camera. A fragment of a poem is formulating in my mind as my creative urges flare! A restlessness agitates and motivates me and I become aware of an extraordinary energy that seems to envelop this time and place as I snap pictures and feverishly sketch an abstract of beauty, a drawing and reminder of this splendid afternoon.

I feel humble, yet fortunate, that I'm aware and appreciative of earth's beauty, especially during this period of history where earth and life are threatened by mankind's inability to live harmoniously, while embracing the values of love and life.

During this time of mind-boggling scientific advancements and unfolding universal knowledge, will mankind survive long enough to benefit from it all? Will we evolve, reaching our greatest potential ... or will we recklessly cause our species' extinction? Only time will tell.

Meanwhile, I'll strive to honor nature's beauty ... and "the inner beauty" of earth's inhabitants.

Copyright © 2005 by Gwen Dickerson
All rights reserved.

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