Walking through the woods today
Climbing up to Wildcat Ridge Hawk Watch
I saw a large purple pudding stone
And wished you were there to see it, too.
I imagined what it would be like with you there
Excited to be exploring the New Jersey Highlands
Marveling at the landscape left behind
At the southern edge of the last great glacier.
These are very old mountains here
So stooped really they are just hills
And the woods are littered with giant boulders
Pushed and then dropped off by the receding ice.
Not far from here is Pyramid Mountain
Where you could see tripod rock perched on top.
What is called an erratic is a wonder to behold.
There is a natural history here that interests me.
Today the chilled overcast sky lacked thermal uprising air
As we watched just a few hawks glide past headed south
Having fun feeding the chickadees instead
With outstretched hand holding the seed.
You could come with me to see so many places here
Places your mother knows and places she has not seen.
But it doesn’t matter. Perhaps some day.
For now you can see the pictures and imagine being here.
You have your life there that’s good.
You have a mother and father who love you
And who love each other very much
And that’s the most important thing.
