I stood in the garden In the still of the wet morning And watched the leaves twitch From the pounding of tiny droplets. As if some small creature was racing for its life From me. The intruder. A chickadee found its landing pad Just in front of me At my feet, Unaware of my hulk. A miracle unto its own. Crows cawed, And eagles screed, Not breaking the silence But contributing to it. Rhododendrons, Astilbes, And wisps of grass Missed in yesterday’s weeding venture Waved in response. And the only thought I could dare To bring to my mouth, Lest my puny effort to describe This cacophony of beauty Destroy it utterly, Was “Amazing Grace.”