Duane Botzek

Each life needs
It’s own quiet place
Each life needs
To savor joy’s taste
A place where time stops
But for a moment worry is gone
Each life needs to quiet...
To hold on

Floating with the grace
Of the resting fawn
Each life needs to quiet...
To go on

Each life needs
A quiet place where tears can dropp
Where life’s eddies of trouble
Spinning downward
To be changed into joy
Foaming joy, floats to the top
Expanding like bubbles
Beginning to pop

Each life needs to quiet...
To bring their best to the top


It’s where all thoughts come together
Making the connections
In my heart and mind
I travel to this place by reflection

In this quiet place letting go
Can cause tears quite a bit
But like a river
Joy flows right through it


(Inspired by the memory of a weekend stay at the Cascade River after returning from the service.)