The papas grass softly dance in the breeze

Behind the laden tangerine tree.

Finches drink at the fountain.

Sounds of trickling water falling

In my Southern California garden

My friends call Pepper Tree Manor.

Wind chimes in the distance

Play their sweet song.

The stone Buddha sits in meditation

Surrounded by white roses.

Bees love the sprawling lavender

And blooms of a lemon tree.

Tricolored roses adorn the arbor

Leading into the vegetable garden.

Freshly planted tomatoes, peppers, basil

In the raised beds, reach for the sun.

Morning light travels through the leaves

Of the hundred year old pepper tree

Residing benevolently over the garden.

Hummingbirds nest in its old branches.

How far has it traveled standing still through time?

And I wonder, could life be more perfect?

When we stop

And drop into this moment

Life becomes sparkling, clear and beautiful.

I’m sitting in a concert hall

Surrounded

By an exquisitely orchestrated symphony

Which is always  playing

If we just pause and take the time to listen.