Stop, Breath, Listen
A new morning, 0545
Walking down the driveway to get the paper
Stop, hear a bird, and another and another
Why don’t I always hear their songs?
The last whiffs of the gardenias, sweet
Walk a few more feet, there is that owl’s call.
Will I ever see him?
Getting closer to the paper, a Woodpecker is pounding away
Then, the honeysuckle, breath in deeply, calm
As I bend to pick up the paper, look across the street, through the trees to the lake.
Tranquil waters, sleeping ducks.
This morning, as the day began
Heading back, four Labs dropping tennis balls at my feet.
The moon setting behind the pines
More calls from the birds
Stop, listen, throw a ball
Look at the house, our home for almost fourteen years
Soon to be vacant, remodeled, a new family
Memories, hidden in every room; good, bad, timeless
I thought I’d die here someday, but no.
The next chapter is about to begin at the edge of the time zone
I hope the birds sing there
A Simple, Village Undertaker 
So, so pretty, these words.
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Ray, life is about journeys, and you and your family are readying to prepare for the next leg. Your family will turn to you for reassurance, seeking solace in your quiet confidence that this is where we are supposed to be at this very moment. Trust in that, and your family will rest easy in your confidence.
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So far, so good
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Ray, you’ll be fine. I moved after 43 years in one house — where I brought my babies home and sent Tom to his rest. The birds sing everywhere if you listen. The damned things start at 4:30 around here! Namaste.
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Where are you now? I’ll be heading to St. Joseph/Benton Harbor, Michigan on July 1st. From my visits, seagulls (Lakegulls?) seem to be predominate song bird. I am finding that the older I get, the less I want to change and that te world would be a better place if everyone just saw reality as I do. Few people agree with me on that. Regards.
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Simply poetry, my friend! I love it, and it is so true. I believe that birds sing everywhere…if we stop, breathe, and listen. Remember to do that! And tuck all those memories into a written volume so that they won’t be forgotten!! 🙂
Wishing you and your sweet family all the best.
My prayers go with all of you. You will be missed!
Blessings,
Linda
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Thank you, Linda. You have been folowing me for a long time and know that I “don’t do poetry” With this, I just sat down at the computer and started and what you see is what came out. The house, after being on the market for almost 3 years, is under contract and that makes the next month even more difficult. I’ll be leaving July 1st and we are scheduled to close July 5th. Alicia will stay behind for a couple months to help get the girls settled. After June 1st, I will be blogging about what is happening. Thanks for your friendship.
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Ray,
Rest assured that the birds and quiet mornings exist here in Michigan too. Although like you stated, being as far west in the eastern time zone as you can go means that the sun rises a little later. But the sunsets over the lake are as good as they get.
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About a 30 minute difference. I can’t wait and will arrive the beginning of July. FPG doesn’t want to let me go. 😢
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