Author’s Note: Yield to a Smile is a piece that I created recently as part of a Plein Air writing exhibition at the local art gallery. The challenge was to visit pre-selected outdoor locations and use what we saw, smelled, heard and felt to create an original essay or poem (500 word max). Inspired by Blackberry Beach and the Easy Climb Trail, Cascade Locks (Oregon), for me this piece is personally about self-discovery and about allowing myself to let go and just use my imagination. Dedicated to my 6-year old grandson, who loves to go on adventures with me and who is always looking and waiting to discover a leprechaun. The title of this piece was inspired by the sign at the trail-head with typical hiking notations about staying on the path, don’t pick and carry noxious weeds…and the second line that said, “yield to a smile.”
Yield to a Smile
Come into the dark place, the well-worn dirt path beckons. I hold out my hand and invite my six-year old grandson to join me.
As we walk, he rambles on about blackberries. “The black ones are sweet, but oh so hard to reach,” he says.
For a moment, I am distracted by his endless prattle and almost miss the weathered wooden sign stuck precariously in the ground at a “Y” in the path. “This way to the enchanted forest” it reads.
The sign has seen better days and is leaning over almost to the ground. Which way is it to the enchanted forest? Straining our eyes to see deep into the woods we try to determine which way to go.
We choose left, and for a fleeting moment I am reminded of the famous poem by Robert Frost.
“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both”
For a brief instant I am hesitant to leave behind the option of path two and it’s dusty promise; a stark analogy of life. So many paths. Choices made every day. Which direction to go? Sometimes I make my choices with confidence. Sometimes I choose a direction and then struggle through the tangled undergrowth. I will not go there again.
In the forest, we leave behind the noises of human civilization. There are no cars or trains. Nevertheless, we are not alone. All around us, we hear the sounds of forest life. Birds are chirping.
“Listen Grandma,” he says. “They are singing a song.” Such is the imagination of a child. I pause for a moment at his request to listen.
The warm summer breeze blows against my face. In it, I smell the heavy musky scent of the river close by. A rabbit startles us as it scurries into the brush and hides out of sight in the brambles.
The forest is enchanting us, drawing us into its mysterious spell. We imagine fairy homes and troll bridges hidden within the dark foliage and speckled sunlight; and leprechauns. There must be leprechauns.
We follow the path as it spills us out onto a small rocky beach that empties into a little cove. The wind is making white capped waves that look like swirls of whip cream, but it is a single white object that catches our eye.
A beautiful white swan. All alone. Just one elegant white bird in the immense gray blue of the water.
We watch as it opens up its wings, arches its long graceful neck and pulls itself up and out of the water. Giant wings pump the air as it flies towards us and over us. Little drops of water from it’s orange webbed feet fall against our upturned faces.
Then it is gone.
All is silent, as if the earth is holding it’s breath.
“Did you see the angel Grandma?” my grandson whispers.
“Yes,” I answer quietly, as I yield to a smile.
Oh, isn’t this a really beautiful piece of writing?! (Thank you)….could imagine you walking there with your grandson. Loved it. Thank you.
Helen, thank you so much for your kinds words. Being involved in this community writing challenge forced me to open my heart and minds to places and situations that I normally may not experience. Then getting to share them in public at the reading was a platform that I’m not used to. I’m so glad that you could envision the journey just like I intended.
This is beautiful- I love your descriptions, and how we can learn so much from the way children see things.
Thank you Carly for your comment. The experience was special and it was nice to share it at the public reading, which was attended by my grandson as well. It thinks it’s totally cool that his grandma writes stories.
Carly, thank you. I feel so blessed to get to share these special times with my grandson. He’s my summertime buddy and always inspired me to write better and see deeper.
Love that you’re adventuring with a six year old grandson, and I’m a mom right now adventuring with two boys: nine and six years old! I’ve learned to notice things more with them as well. I wrote today after you on Kate’s link up about Notice! I added to an older blog entry of mine from March. I blogged about nature as well! So lovely to see God in those moments through children, through our smiles, and through the time to slow and walk the paths that are laid before us. We have that Robert Frost quote framed somewhere in our house…it is one of my husband’s favorites. Lovely post, thankful to be planted next to you today. Jenn
Jennifer, thanks so much for your comment. Even though we are in different stages of life with our “kids”, it is always nice to share a story of adventure. We love that poem as well and it amazes me how many times in my life those words from the first stanza come to my mind. Bless you and thanks again for your taking time to share your kinds words.
And a little child shall lead them…
In my book Not So Fast, I wrote: “Each child is born with eyes to see so clearly the beauty all around and hear the rhythm in our speech; in their youth, children’s ears aren’t yet deadened to the music all around. They hear the mockingbird serenading them from a telephone pole. They stop to stare at frost patterns on window panes…Their hearts are still open; their minds alert. They would stop. They would linger. They just need *us* to slow down.”
You slowed down with him. You listened with him. You saw the angel.
Beautifully told.
Thank you Ann for your kind comment. I appreciate that you totally got the message of my little essay. As a grandma that is blessed to spend a large quantity of time with my grandson, I have to also set aside my “adult” responsibilities and make sure that it is also quality time. All too soon, he will be grown up and I will missed a precious opportunity.
I so enjoyed your story. I’m a grandmother, too, so I really found the experience very sweet. Aren’t these grandkids amazing? Your ability to see and remember is truly wonderful. Thank-you for inviting me into your life.
Gabriele, thank you so much for your kind comment. I am glad that you enjoyed the story and yes, grandkids are such an amazing blessing. Hope we can share together again some time.