Stillness

Spring term is always busy. An entire semester crammed into four intensive weeks. Full days of lectures and field work are the norm, while labs and homework go well into the night.

But there are little moments of stillness, lulls in the storm. For me, I like to wander the feral beaches of the lake's western shore. There is no development on this whole side of the lake. In effect it is a huge nature preserve in the trust of the university full of wild creatures and rare and unusual plants.

Washed up snail shells, raven feathers, dragonfly nymphs and polished mineral stones litter the sands. Some days the winds blow the water choppy and rough. On others the waters are as still and reflective as a mirror.

My friend Jim LeMoine also likes to linger here, paddling out in the evenings when the light is magical to commune with these big waters. Searching for stillness, grasping for zen in fleeting embraces.