It’s not that I’d forgotten
how much I
loved
the out of doors
I suppose really, I’d forgotten
how much
I need it
today for a time, is
beautifully bright in the garden
and though I don’t much like the cold
this morning
it’s just me and the dogs
so pulling on my husband’s coat and
boots
the boys are off to hopefully disperse some energy
while I go out
to feed the birds
we’d been out of seed for a time
and then a terrible cold snap,
and I’d left the filling mostly to my husband
this morning it’s the sun peeking through
clouds
and familiar words by Mary Oliver
that often come to mind
as the sun shines in my eyes
“Hello sun in my face.
Hello you who made the morning and spread it over
the fields.
… good morning, good morning, good
morning
Watch now, how I start the day in happiness,
in kindness.”
and a darling little red-breasted nuthatch
on the suet
that drew me out
it is cold, but certainly not as cold
as it has been
the snow sparkles, a light fluffy topcoat
for decoration
I breathe in the fresh, and have a look around
at the garden
slumbering under blankets
the gorgeous snow caps on the birdbaths
piled high like Victorian cakes
at a lavish tea party
I look up at the sky
and rise with the ascendance of clouds
against the blue
it’s relatively quiet
and yes,
I
just…
love it here
I take a large scoop of seed
out through the gate
to the front garden feeder
just as I begin to fill, a great chorus surrounds
and a flutter of sparrows
cheep and chirp their way to the centre
of the bare shrub beside me
they gather me up in their songs of joyous gratitude
for replenishment
amplified, surrounding me on all sides
I smile at what feels like a standing ovation
and bow my head in mutual gratitude
for what has now been exchanged
We must not turn blind eyes to all that is being
taken, overrun and destroyed
by despicable acts
by despicable people
yet, still
in this old world
we do so need
peaceful moments
and all efforts
to keep beautiful things
alive ♥