Its Smiled Knot

I walked into the woods, deep in nature's embrace
I stood before a pond reflecting my face
I smiled at the pond and my smile I did see
But the pond itself, smiled not back at me

I turned to my right and smiled at a tree
Its branches spread wide, but smiled not back at me
It was then I turned to smile at a crow
But in return, no smile did it show

So, I smiled at the swallows as they chased the gnats
Yet no smiles of theirs followed as they continued their dance
I smiled at the hawk as it soared in the sky
Its stoic expression reflected in my eye

I smiled at the beetle crawling on the grass
I smiled at the bee as it buzzed past
I smiled at the butterfly fluttering by
I smiled at the sun, the clouds, the sky

I smiled at the creek with its calm flowing water
I smiled at the frog, the fish, and the otter
I smiled at the ground and let out a sigh
For in all of these beings no smile could I find

So I returned to the pond to study my reflection
I smiled and smiled until I smiled with perfection
But there in the pond only myself could I see
The pond itself, smiled not back at me

Suddenly my smile turned to frown
I decided it was time to return to town
Confused I stood wondering why
I decided to give it one more try

I smiled at a tree but it smiled not back at me
With its branches spread wide, it stood silently
It’s roots tangled deep, strong, and proud
Expressing emotions so moving, profound

I turned to the crow who did not smile
But returned my gaze with its own expressive style
Perched upon the branch with wings spread wide
Revealing the feelings it never tried to hide

With whispered steps I then walked and listened
The whistling wind then taught me a lesson
Hellos were hidden in hums of wings
Emotions display differently in different beings

       I smile at a rock, weathered and still
        It does not smile, emotions conceal
        In its silent stance, feelings reveal

        I smile at a flower, colorful and bright
        No smile to offer, a beautiful sight
        With a sway in the wind, emotions alight

        I smile at a frog, still and serene
        Calm upon its face, no smile seen
        Peacefulness, reflects in its sheen

        I smile at the hawk, stoic and bold
        No smile returns, a sight to behold
        In the flap of its wings, a language untold

        I smile at the sun, brilliant and majestic
        Without a smile, radiance eccentric
        Warm feelings, enthusiastic, emphatic

       I smile at the sky, immense and vast
       Colors and clouds ever-changing, no smiles cast
        Its boundless expanse, forever enchants

                I smile at a cloud
                I smile at the breeze
                I smile at a shadow
                I smile at the leaves
                I smile at a spider
                I smile at a bee
                I smile at a butterfly
                I smile at a centipede
                I smile at a snail
                I smile at a beetle
                I smile at a turtle
                I smile at a weasel
                I smile at a memory
                I smile at a dream
                I smile at a melody
                I smile at the stream
                I smile at a slug
                I smile at a worm
                I smile at everything
                With or without form
                I smile at the world
                With its diverse displays
                Expressing emotions
                In unique ways

         I smile at the tree, branches spread wide
         It smiles not back, it does not hide
         Its smiled knot, smiling with pride

In moments when smiles may not find their way
Emotions still stir in their unique displays
With whispered steps we may seek to find
The smiled knot to which we once were blind