May 2022 • Nebraskaland 45
Then, like in the blink of an eye,
the season fades into fall and winter,
as once again, waves of wildlife move
on with the tide of migration. Vibrant
colors lie dormant until rising up with
spring's new growth.
Left behind to watch the seasons
and wildlife transition each year, I
ponder what this place has taught me.
Quiet patience and appreciation of
little and seemingly common things
were all subtleties I had previously
taken for granted. During visits to
my city sanctuary, I developed a love
and adoration for these little gems,
all tucked within my neighborhood
city. Each walk promised a glimpse of
something wild and the realization
that wilderness is never too far outside
our reach.
Now, I wait. As winter's cold breath
wanes, I patiently anticipate the
prairie's green shoots. What lies in wait
for this city sanctuary, and likewise,
myself? How will the coming years
transform who we are and how we
grow? Only time will tell. All I know is
that I will continue to walk the trails
and search for meaning, regardless of
the season. And perhaps someday, a
kindred soul will visit and fi nd what
they've been searching for as well.
N
Omaha native Marissa Jensen is a
writer and photographer who spends
her free time exploring the unexpected
wilderness of Nebraska.
Summer's palette courtesy of freshly picked mulberries.
A juvenile red-tailed hawk.
