The flower bloomed
without thinking about it
In its nature
lies the blooming factor
Barely waiting
to burst forth and rejoice
like a songbird at dawn
Sun came romping out
so it must be tomorrow
Let’s once again lean back
and zap scuttling clouds
With thoughts of rabbits
and galloping horses
(the child’s game for serious adults)
• • •
Like islands in the sky
equines cavorting in the wind
let’s ride our ponies
Our hearts beating
like hooves of our steeds
on misty ground
over wild and untold heights
Moon had gone to bed
off to play in dreamland
on the other side
Stars were hiding-seek too well
as if they’d dropped from the sky
• • •
In darkness thick as rabbit fur
we traversed the wood
Listening to the breath of silent wind
feeling the way with bared feet
With eyes closed and hearts open
and the simple faith of trusting children
Until, at last, we arrived home
without a scratch or trepidation
Once a stick-bug
showed up on my screen door
It was startling to realize
this odd twig was alive
I felt fear
Yet, the stick-bug still greeted me
in his gentle stick-bug way
The Spirit in me
honors the Spirit in all living beings
In ceremony
the groundhog community
greets the new day
Each rising up
on their haunches
facing the rising sun
and singing the
Greet the Day Song
It is the favorite
ceremony of the day
○ • • • ○
Happy mid-winter, everyone! Spring is on its way.