Poetic Power of Nature
My affection for Nine Mile Creek is poetic in nature. It began seven years ago when my spouse and I moved to Minnesota from out of state. Initially, we searched for a home in Minneapolis but were ultimately drawn to Bloomington by two irresistible factors. First, we fell in love with a beautiful century-old house we now call home. Second, we were utterly captivated by the Nine Mile Creek corridor. Seven years later, my heart still swells with admiration for the creek and all its inhabitants.
The natural surfaced path initially caught my attention, as it is much kinder to people like myself with joint disease. But then, the beauty of the creek, woodlands, floodplain forest, and wetlands spoke to me. The creek is mesmerizing and often matches my mood; on some days, it babbles and gurgles; on others, it’s turbulent and gushing. The wetlands boast a new surprise every season—migrant waterfowl, toads, snakes, frogs, beaver and muskrats, duckweed, burr-reed, fireweed, and milk vetch. Moreover, the winding path gently following the creek and weaving through the forest is peaceful and enchanting. In truth, sometimes I find myself humming Judy Kuhn’s “Just Around the Riverbend.”
The birds were next to catch my eye. On one spring morning walk, I was surrounded by a myriad of migratory songbirds. They swooshed, fluttered, foraged, and sang. Meanwhile, gorgeous waterfowl—American Coot, Blue-winged Teal, and Buffleheads, paddled and waded in the floodwaters. It was a paradise far more spectacular than a rainforest thousands of miles away.
My relationship with Nine Mile Creek and its surrounding community becomes more meaningful with each passing season and every ensuing year. Most recently, I've met its countless native wildflowers, each with unique beauty and charm. Skunk cabbage greets me in early spring, with her maroon hooded leaf shrouding her flower. The marsh marigold, not to be outdone, soon after sprouts her bright yellow blooms. Bloodroot gestures gracefully, her pure white blossom beaming with elegance. Wild ginger displays her ephemeral love with heart-shaped leaves and a red, bell-shaped flower. And then the rest burst forth, welcoming me after a three-season absence—Solomon Seal, Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Dutchman's breeches, trillium, rattlesnake root, and ramp blanket the woodland floor with tranquil and green once more.
The poetic power of nature is undeniable. New employment brought us to Bloomington, but the Nine Mile Creek community, its inhabitants, and visitors keep us here. Its diverse wildlife and tranquility create a captivating environment that inspires awe and instills a sense of peace. Every turn in the creek reveals new beauty to behold, making it a place that truly captures the heart.