Bagno nel Bosco

A winding larch wood stairway along a steep gorge in the forest on Mount Subasio. The spirit of humble saints still gently haunt these woods…St. Francis, St. Claire, St. Benedict, St. Sylvester —- they all walked, contemplated and prayed in these woods. Trekking from one stone village to another, one can pause for un Bagno nel Bosco. Bathing in the forest and soaking in the silence. One can lounge upon a bed of smooth wood logs under the leafy canopy and luscious dappled shade immersed in the scent and silence of the wood, only the sound of birdsong. Forgetting, then remembering that silence is the place of peace, joy and serenity. Ah, and still the incessant chatter of my mind continues. In this wood spa, an odd yet appropriate discovery: a poem about silence. Here is my slightly edited version.

Silence

In life, we need to have moments of silence
to say nothing of oneself is to be humble,
to say nothing of others is to be charitable,
to say nothing of certain moments is to be wise,
to say nothing when unsure is to be prudent,
to say nothing when things go wrong is to be patient.

Silence is essential in our lives:
it inspires you to think,
it helps you avoid mistakes,
it aids you in prayer.

Silence is the master of truth.
It is the essence of peace, joy and serenity.

-Anonymous