The Cascades

There is no reason for this cascade today.

There is no reason for this cascade today...a waterfall of magenta bougainvillea winding down to the ground in the shape of a gentle descending 3....falling so gently among the sharp razor spikes of the century plant.

There is no reason the massive ball of fire that we call the sun has decided to just in this moment kiss the top blossom..and then the third one down from that, and then the one below that—the very lowest one of all that is reaching out and whisper touching the ground. Even the dark grey-green spikes of the cactus seem to have gotten kissed themselves—just along on the dry edges and deeply down the middle.

There is absolutely no reason I have the time and means and eyes and space today to see it. I who pride myself on being constantly in motion seemed to quiet suddenly and just sit down— look out—and have my breath catch in my throat.

There is no reason—other than ourselves—that people far away today are experiencing bombs reigning terror down upon them— human made flames instead of kisses—spikes not made of cactus but of hatreds ill bred and long fed—plants, and people—starved of the nourishment of beauty.

Today among the bougainvillea I pray for the innocents...for fresh wisdom and swift justice... for a time wise leaders once spoke about—when swords will be beaten into plowshares—and peace can reign anew in a cascade of righteousness and justice flowing freely for all humankind. If only that one word, the last one, is the one that described us all.

~ Laurie Beth

---