She walks to the river and the stone says, "Surrender."   Alice Lynn Greenwood

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WILDERNESS SOLITUDE  LESSON

“Surrender” is a powerful lesson the wilderness teaches me.
For four years, I live in solitude—off a remote
dirt road beside a gentle river in the wayback
of the Ozark Highlands.
One morning, stomping over the rocky bottom
of the drought-dry river bed, I come across
a small sandstone, mineral-etched with a dark “R”.
In the ancient script of Runes, “R” signifies “Surrender”.
With uncanny precision, nature is graciously handing me the guidance I need.
Surrounded by forested mountains domed by
a cobalt sky, I contritely cradle this sacred stone
in my palm, knowing I must “Surrender” the self-righteous anger I’m deliciously harboring
for someone I love. 
Relieved to receive a message given so explicitly,
I follow my instructions.
I surrender the burden of my anger and place the light stone in my backpack on a soft nest of leaves.
Today I keep this precious gift in my studio, a blessed reminder of a lesson I’m still learning about relinquishing whatever weighs down my journey.

Alice Lynn Greenwood © 2014