As I travel through Central Europe, living, cooking, eating and sleeping outdoors in our natural world, the lessons that I experience feel varied, precious and important to me and actually for all humanity.

I wonder why my heart yearns

almost grieves,

weeping at the beauty of your face

it's an unfathomable life

so deep,

so raw,

so encompassing of life and death.

You put your hand in mine,

Or maybe I put my hand in yours, I’m not sure.

Your hand is old, the dark blue veins prominent, cased in wrinkles

Your nails are thick, neatly cut and pristine

In spite of how hard your hands have worked.

This ‘work in progress’ poem reflects some of my experience following a small accidental event in March 2023. Unfortunately, this event had dire repercussions, almost costing me my voice and my life.