He Say's, Nature Replies (A reflective poem)

This is a reflective poem from our 2025 Men’s Mountain Adventure in the Sangre de Cristo range in Southeast Colorado. It focuses on how nature replied to our thoughts, fears, and shame by giving us interactions with wild animals (black bears, big horned sheep, mule deer, cutthroat trout, marmots….), fallings rocks, rushing streams, and quiet nights.

By Branden Henry

He says, “Am I okay?”
Raven growls in his ear: 'Wake up!
Today is a new day.
Yesterday is gone.'

He says, “I feel stuck.”
River speaks with chill movement—
not holding herself back,
'I go where I must.'

He says, “I’m not enough.”
Old mountain groans and breaks apart.
'This new growth is tough.
Rubble builds anew.'

He says, “I feel afraid.”
Startled marmot whistles and runs,
away to her cave.
'Shelter always near.'

He says, “I’m bound down.”
Bighorn sheep wonder undisturbed,
doubts and fears shrugged off,
living unbothered.

He says, “What comes next?”
The wind whispers her intentions,
'always moving and free,'
at rest while she runs.

He says, “I feel shame.”
Black bear lumbers along the trail,
Shaggy and untamed.
Calm, present, unmoved.

He says, “I’m too weak.”
Long pines rise up and stretch their bones,
drink deep from a creek,
'give life and take it.'

He says, “I’m alone.”
Trout run the river, together,
finding their way back home
through rocks, bears, and shoals.

He says, “I’m detached -
from God, self, others and the earth.”
While nature dances,
showing second birth. 

Dirt, water, and sky,
fish and bird, rock, beast and tree—
all hear his helpless sigh
and remind him: 'Breathe.'

He inhales: “I’m okay.”
Surrounded by sighing grandeur,
peace found within play.
Connected.
Exhales 'Ease.'

Exhales.
Ease.

Exhales

Ease