Morning Toby,
I'm going to ramble a bit. My way of starting I guess. I've come back to upstate N.Y. after spending two years in the southwest. I live in the heart of country and farm communities. What has surprised me enormously is the beauty and peacefullness that has come with the scenery. It is as though I never saw it before. I'm still perplexed by it. I've intently watched the seasons change. It is almost a meditation. If by late morning I haven't spent time quietly looking at what lies in the hillside and distance, the morning is incomplete. Or I am not complete. Needless to say I love nature and I draw my spirituality from nature. Most of my poetry uses nature as a focal point. I'm hoping with the start of PW that I can draw more out of my poetry. In short, I've looked but haven't listened to mind or thought.
Toby....you referenced Carruth (sp). Is this the gentleman from Syracuse? I've enjoyed a copy of one of his books of poetry. Very earthy and simple but beautiful. Mary