Commonplace Beauty

Walking early while the air is cool and fresh. Watching jack-rabbits hopping across glistening green grass, finches darting in and out of the sprinkling system, passing other residents, some strolling meditatively, one pulled along by her furry, four-legged friend, another clipping by briskly getting his exercise.

Then an elderly man, shuffling, stooped, tipping his straw-hat, pausing as if to talk awhile. I stop, my sleepy eyes meet his sparkling ones.

"As you near the corner, just up the way," he points out, "be sure to notice. It's so beautiful."

"Oh, okay, I will," I assure him, having no idea to what he's referring, and continue on my way.

The pastel prisms-- red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet—a rainbow arched high in the air, reflections in the spurting water. No doubt, the source of his delight, and now mine.

I smile, he has brought newness to my morning.

How often, hurrying on my way, breathing deeply, burning calories, firming muscles, staying fit, do I miss the wonder of commonplace beauty near the corner, just up the way