Jazz in the breeze
faintly drifting, you could smell it.
The Live oak spread, casting shade
As dew fled before the morning sun.
Off the St. Charles trolley line,
The great park spread endlessly
Golden rays dappling the mottled grass
Undefiled by feet that tread before mine
Shoes unwelcome defiling holy ground,
The earth begged for my touch,
And my feet found solace lush and sweet
Soothing love and peace in this caress
An easy smile, sigh of contentment
Toes wiggling and giggling
Cool, refreshing, invigorating.
So wonderful, I thought!
And the higher grass I sought
More is always better.
Take it as far as you can.
Treading with delight
to more tangled depths
and then... too much.
Dead grass around my feet
Clinging, unpleasant, brown, dry and wet.
Of course, the sin of excess
Punished by discomfort.
A wrong turn and something learned.
The shorter, more manicured, the better.
Tighter, cleaner, more refined.
And so I changed my course
And found the shortest and most even place
A finely crewcut swath
With grass blades sharp and prickly
Though beautiful and neat.
And punishing, not sweet.
I see. Too much again.
Too structured and too strict.
Too controlled and unnatural.
All love withheld. All pleasure denied.
So simple nature told me.
You can feel it more than see it.
Listen to your feelings
And stray far not right nor left
Keep lush green grass beneath your feet
And walk the middle ground