By Alyssa Alvarez Do you see the sky Where the mountains and stars align? Nobody notices the beauty around them We are as delicate as a flowers stem Weighed down by endless possibilities Why can’t we see nature’s tranquility? And yet we are fearful of the unknown A perfect world hidden behind your phone You know it’s true what they say Stop and smell the roses at least once a day Consumed by the need to stay entertained Your screen becomes a way to stay sane I can see the sky, yet continue to look down Life’s worth living, focus on the sound The birds chirping as the sun rises from the ground You begin to notice the wellness in nature is divine Yet everyone continues to focus on their deadline The grass is glistening in green A mood so comforting, I wish it could be seen The flowers have bloomed There is no more need to stay consumed In nature, my heart is filled with so much admiration It’s worth the celebration Now the time has arrived A moment to truly be alive
Poet’s note: I wrote “Momento de Vivir” to highlight how nature is often dismissed because of our day-to-day priorities. I chose to use this reflection on my mother’s bed of roses in her backyard. The roses are near a tree that blooms little yellow flowers. In my home, we call them campañas, which means bells. It is saidthat this particular tree can bringfortune and abundance to your home. While usingthis time to reflect on nature, although I felt appreciation, I also felt a slight bit of anger towards myself. I felt this emotion because I have allowed myself to get entangled in the weeds of life, forgetting how big and beautiful the world can be if I just remember to look up. After spending an hour outside breathing, observing, listening, smelling, I could only reflect on how many beautiful memories I have had outside, specifically in my mother’s backyard. I hope to continue to have more memories with nature.
Alyssa Alvarez created this writing in response to a “wellness in nature” assignment for WGSS 380, Women and Health.