The Wild Places

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Abstract

c="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*wEBNp6S1IlkRNTPOb1j55g.jpeg"><figcaption>“Touching Dewdrops.” Photo ©Erika Burkhalter</figcaption></figure><figure id="390d"><img src="https://cdn-images-1.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:800/1*PD80fAb6rvU4Nn2SZwt0oA.jpeg"><figcaption>“Delicate Whorls.” Photo ©Erika Burkhalter</figcaption></figure><p id="24ad"><i>Erika Burkhalter is a yogi, neurophilosopher, cat-mom, photographer, and lover of travel and nature, spreading her love and amazement for Mother Earth’s glories, one photo, poem or story at a time. (MS Neuropsychology, MA Yoga Studies).</i></p><p id="c049">You might also enjoy:</p><div id="e4a4" class="link-block"> <a href="https://readmedium.com/an-afternoon-in-the-garden-31932d4270a0"> <div> <div> <h2>An Afternoon in the Garden</h2> <div><h3>Finding a little zen with my camera</h3></div> <div><p>medium.com</p></div> </div> <div> <div style="background-image: url(https://miro.readmedium.com/v2/resize:fit:320/1*tZclS1xIMDXp1yLYnrGn6Q.jpeg)"></div> </div> </div> </a>

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    </div><p id="e277">If you’re interested in keeping up with my poems, photos and musings, you might consider <a href="https://erikaburkhalter.medium.com/subscribe">subscribing to my stories</a>.</p><p id="c67b">If you enjoy reading on medium, you can help the many talented writers here by <a href="https://erikaburkhalter.medium.com/membership">joining</a>. It helps to support the arts and to keep us writing!</p><p id="c5de">And, because I’ve had a few people asking lately, if you’re ever interested in purchasing a photo, just leave me a note.</p><p id="377f"><i>Story and photos ©Erika Burkhalter. All rights reserved.</i></p></article></body>

Finding Meaning

What, really, gives meaning to life?

In the end, we surrender to nature. And I hope to go with peace in my heart.

But, and I truly believe this — if we are here as her eyes and ears and as vessels for her growth

if she learns from us —

from when our fingertips touch a dewdrop for the first time, or when we breathe the air exhaled from a glacier, or we watch a fern unfurl, delicate whorl upon delicate whorl —

we can never stop.

We need to hunger in our hearts unceasingly for meaning, for those gossamer threads which we can almost see, but will never fully comprehend.

We need to touch the wild places in nature and in the essence of our beings.

Without that quest, there would no reason

to be.

Erika Burkhalter is a yogi, neurophilosopher, cat-mom, photographer, and lover of travel and nature, spreading her love and amazement for Mother Earth’s glories, one photo, poem or story at a time. (MS Neuropsychology, MA Yoga Studies).

Poetry, Photography

The Wild Places

Finding Meaning

An Afternoon in the Garden

Finding a little zen with my camera

Matilija Poppies on the Trail

Ephemeral Beauty