Dawn

The first signs of daylight awake me. It is 5:00am as I stumble sleepily out of bed. I can see it is going to be a beautiful day as I pull aside the curtains. Opening the window, I inhale as I smell the fresh aroma of lavender which is drifting through the open window. Seizing my dressing gown off the bed post, I hurry outside. The crisp morning air is chilly, but it soon refreshes me. Hastening my steps, I scamper up the mountain, getting further and further away from the small cottage.

At last at the top of the ridge I take a moment to stop and rest. Taking the weight off my feet, I sit down on a surprisingly wide log, which I find quite comfortable as it has been used many times before, worn smooth by the many passing travellers.

Looking at the stunning view, I notice that the sun is starting to come up over the horizon. Soft shades of pink, red, yellow, orange and even purple fill the sky. It is spectacular. Slowly, but surely, the sun moves it’s way across the atmosphere, producing a brightness that lights up the heavens, skies and earth. I sigh. It is truly magnificent!

Remembering the chilliness of the morning, I now feel warm and revived for the day. Capturing one last glimpse of the vanishing sunrise, I make my way down the hillside and thank God for such a WONDERFUL world!

SPOTTED MANTIS

Magnificent colours like rays of light on a vast garden, painted onto this richly adorned Spotted Mantis. Green, red, and black, all intermingled to compose a stunning creature. The wings, delicate like a Thrush’s egg, can be torn any moment in time. Green like the power of envy, wishing earnestly to steal another's affection. Like the spine of a feather, the legs are thin and spindly, but incredibly strong, empowering strength into this Mantis. The hands, thrust up into the unknown, praising the Creator of whom he is made, longing to understand the secrets of existence.

The heart of this radiant being must surely be beaming with joy, hope and love.

Written by Louisa Short—12 years
31 July 2007

STAR GAZING....

I slip on the undergrowth covered with fallen dew and I feel myself falling, falling, falling….

I awake.

It is nighttime and the sliver of moonlight is dappled through the trees.
The stars, surrounding the galaxies, are shining as bright as a 50-watt torch in a dark, cold cave.
I gaze around my surroundings, and I discover that I am in a small valley with gigantic trees, at least 500 years old, towering above me.
Along the banks are thousands of tiny Glow Worms, shining like stars.
I make my way up the stream, back to the Kereru Whare and as I open the door, I stop to hear the New Zealand Morepork calling, its’ voice echoing through the forests at Mount Tutu Eco-Sanctuary.
“Morepork! Morepork! Morepork!”