Lake Bonny

Today I went to Lake Bonny Park for this assignment, and I stayed there for at least 50 minutes. So the requirements said, but as time passed I found myself desiring to be there longer. Observing things was so fascinating. A gator was floating in the water across the lake, a bird was basking in the sunlight not far away, hundreds of little beetles were floating on the surface of the water below, and lizards were scurrying across the dock. The weather was perfect. It was slightly overcast and had just gotten done raining so there was a chill and breeze in the air, however the sun was peaking through some clouds as it began to set, painting the colors of orange, pink, and yellow across the cloudy sky. In the distance I could hear sports teams jeering back and forth and the ring of the bell at Southeastern University signifying the change in hour from across the lake. Even though I sat secluded in “silence” there was so much noise and activity.

While sitting I read a few poems, but my favorite was Six Recognitions of the Lord. I liked one of the lines in the third recognition when Mary Oliver writes, “I lounge on the grass, that’s all. So simple. Then I lie back until I am inside the cloud that is just above me but very high, and shaped like a fish. Or, perhaps not.” It reminded me of all the wonderful times I’ve paused in life to take the time to enjoy the beauty in the sky, to make shapes out of clouds, and appreciate the creation’s of God. Mary Oliver finds the shape of a fish in the sky, but perhaps not. We are each entitled to our own opinions of the shape of clouds and so long as we search for the shapes I think that’s one of the best things we can do.