In the Cornwall Chronicle calendar, I noticed two events back to back on July 7 that caught my interest. I decided to try to attend both, and what a special day it became! The first was a hike offered by the Cornwall Conservation Trust at the Trinity Forest Preserve, with Mare Rubin providing a guided meditation practice that fit perfectly at the beaver pond destination of the trail. Following this hike, I attended Sally Van Doren’s Poetry Workshop at the Cornwall Library. We spent time reading, writing, and providing feedback on our writings. One of her prompts was to write as if you were in a conversation with an animal. We had 5 minutes to write. This is where the two events merged and I wrote the following. It may not be the best poem, considering we only had 5 minutes to write, but I think it captures a special moment I experienced in Cornwall and perhaps captures the feelings many have when they appreciate this beautiful town we live in and how our neighbors give so much to each other. I express heartfelt thanks to the two Cornwall folks who did this for me, Mare and Sally. Through their willingness to give of their time on a weekend, others in Cornwall had a very special experience of our town and our community.
Beaver Lodge Pond
by Joseph Markow
Thank you for building
this pond where we sit.
Though I do not see you,
your signs are all around.
The dragonflies dance
like angels around your
lodge in the center,
while the banjo sounds
of green frogs also
sing praise to your hard work.
Your work was not done
for our benefit, or even
the thought of our future
presence, here on your shore,
but still, it has brought
us together in this moment
and we form
a community of
gratitude, even
in your absence.
When you return, do
not be afraid, but
recognize us as neighbors
here in this chapel
of woods and water,
breeze and light,
stone and life.
📸: Cornwall Conservation Trust
