Tending the Goats

I am asked, in a dream, to tend a friend's goats. Her request requires that I choose between an old commitment and a new one; to face my fears and risk failure in trying something new; to put the needs of others before my own sense of ease and security. 

In exploring aspects of the dream through a poem, I find myself reconnected with the path of nature, with the excitement and joy that new challenges can bring, and the importance of remaining open to life's larger lessons.

Tending the Goats/Honoring a Dream

I am coming!

I am coming!

I found the key,

beautiful girls,

and I am coming.

Through sunlit woods

and down the well-marked path

to your door

I will travel,

silver pails swinging.

I will offer food and drink

in return for your

sure-footed company,

will delight in your curious gaze

as you learn to recognize me

and I learn to recognize myself

in you.

I had other plans today

but I chose you

or you chose me,

or perhaps we are choosing

each other.

I have never done this before

but having chosen, at last,

I am ready to work,

ready to learn.

I left my fear along the path,

somewhere between

the leaves crunching underfoot

and the breeze stirring

in the pines.

Teach me to climb and trust

the earth beneath me.

Teach me to climb and seek

the sky above.

Teach me to be agile

when the landscape changes without warning,

to trust my heart

and the warmth of your lips on my open palm.

Oh, hard-headed beauties,

you wear your confidence like a cloak,

wield your independence like a shield.

But you play like rambunctious children

and it feels so good to laugh.

My arms will be tired tonight,

but my heart will be full.

Standing before your door

which has not yet swung open to greet me,

I catch myself, day dreaming

our afternoon together

before remembering that I am still holding

the key.

July 17, 2012