It pleased me to see his playful names
I am gone into the woods and
I am the sum of my experiences
Attached to the email message
A young man with a full bushy head of hair
Framing his open expression and ready smile
He who has collected so many native seeds
Today collected them unintentionally in his hair
As the first to arrive of several new volunteers
Bringing his extensive knowledge of plants
Being happy to apply himself to the task
Removing invasive vegetation from the preserve
Soon joined by his father with an even bigger smile
Someone with equal or greater enthusiasm
Who today brought his brother along
Becoming an extended family affair
Then there is the smart young woman
Who was delighted when she was approached
Who shows up every work session
Because clearing invasives is her passion
She who has experience leading nature walks
Doing much needed public science education
Tells me things about wasps and other insects
While discussing possible grant applications
They are putting together a plan for each season
What they will remove and what to replace it with
Confident they can get the entire project done in one year
Taking initiative and leading the way
The man who brought them together
Someone retired now about as old as me
Knowing the importance of passing the torch
Did it by boldly asking strangers a question
Stopping to talk to people here in the nature preserve
Asking them for help in maintaining the place
Discovering most people are thankful to be asked
Glad to have the chance to contribute
