The value of now

February at Olbrich

This past year has been a jumble 

of emotional ups and downs. 

Immersed in the demands of my classes

days merged one into another

 punctuated by outrage at actions in our Capitol.

Life became compressed

wrung dry with fatigue and deadlines

 irritated by procrastination.

Two months ago

my studies ended.

Social Media Certificate in hand 

anxiety over class assignments

became

an all encompassing

search for employment.

Last week

I lightened the burden

 and stopped

to relish the moment.

For three hours
 I lost myself
 in the Bolz Conservatory

at Olbrich Botanical Gardens.

 Verdant greens and blues 

yellows and reds

of the rainforest

surrounded me

in lush vegetation.

A symphony of birds and insects

wove a blanket of comfort and peace.

Now that I've returned

to the search

the memory of my visit

surrounds me 

with the fragile warmth

of  optimism.