Cedar–Habitat–Sabbatical

by Eve West Bessier

If I could take a sabbatical,

a leave with pay for rejuvenation,

I would seek out a wild habitat

for my too tamed mind,

a place with elevation, a wide view,

a few cedar and juniper trees,

an aspen grove on a high slope.

A place where sunlight plays

on granite and the emerald skins of lakes.

A place where I can breathe thinner air,

bathe in alpine coolness,

and remember from where I came,

and remember my own name,

and remember the nature

of the golden ratio,

and the shape of change.

* * * * *

Illustration by Eve West Bessier

Eve West Bessier is an award-winning author of poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. She is Poet Laureate of Silver City, New Mexico. She is also a Poet Laureate Emerita of Davis, California. Eve holds a Master of Education from UC Davis, and a BA in English from San Francisco State University. She is a social scientist, studio musician, jazz vocalist, voice coach, visual artist, and nature enthusiast. You can find more information, including performance videos and recordings on her website. www.jazzpoeteve.com