spirit rock

I placed my cell phone on a high rock
in the middle of the stream.
it glimmered there, silver and white, with a blinking red beacon
calling for attention like an audacious insect.
eyes closed, I focused my breathing
surrounded by the music of the running water
until the electronic device became
a kaleidoscope of butterflies and rose up from the rock
to take flight in all directions.

I placed my laptop on a low rock
in the middle of the stream,
its sunken silver case gently passing
for water molecules and sunlight.
eyes open, I watched
surrounded by the music of the running water
until the electronic device became
a shoal of shimmering, twitching fish and swam away
to take cover in the reedy shallows

I placed my heart on an ancient rock
in the middle of the stream.
its rhythmic cadence creating coronas of light,
sparking the silver and gold in the altar’s granite face.
eyes everywhere, I prayed
surrounded by the music of the running water
until the aortic device became
a choir of meadowlarks spreading their wings,
singing oratorios to the divine in everything.