she stepped out into the crisp early morning spring air

birds singing the dawn chorus to greet her

the pale blue sky had been delicately painted onto the calm waters of the bay

the marsh was starting to shed its brown winter coat and change into green for the summer 

the sun was not up but the cloudy eastern sky was orange ablaze in anticipation

a lone waterman glided over the mirror like surface

speeding towards crab pots with hopes of a bumper catch

rhythmically flowing ripples ran from his boat to infinity 

carving up the perfectly reflected sky painting into a torn canvas

when the boat was well gone and the ripples were just a gentle swell

the sky began to gently repaint itself on the water

she treasured these still moments that touched her soul

she loved way the bay and the marsh gifted her changing portraits  

the pre-dawn era was brief but seemed never ending

the sun burst over the horizon with enthusiastic abandon

dormant still air was nudged into movement by the warming sun 

gentle breezes began a whispering dance over the bay wiping out the reflected sky

she took one last breath of the intoxicating morning air before going inside

with a gracious thank you she she sealed the images in her mind

it was time to face another day laced with work, chores, family and errands

mixing with the poor souls who have never learned to worship these wonders

she will return for her daily dose of bayside nature tomorrow