A morning’s reflection. You may listen to me read the poem via the player below.

In the morning stillness
While the family sleeps,
Twilight finds its way in
As does an unseasonable coolness
Which blows through the opened windows.

The morning walkers make their way
Up the street telling yesterday’s stories
And sharing the day’s tasks which 
Animate with an energy of excitement or anxiety.
But louder than they, and more constant,
Are the birds.

From each corner of the yard,
A mockingbird shows off his repertoire.
A pair of cardinals at the bird feeder
Take turns and chirp: “Eat. Eat.”
The song sparrows and finches patiently wait
But then push in at their turn.
And there from a birch limb,
A chickadee flies in and back
With his takings.

On the deck floor below,
A squirrel waits and works
The tactics and trigonometry of theft.
While beside me, our cat, Milo,
Watches from the window sill,
Loaded with longing.

And here,
The earnest, present zeal 
Of creation and creature
Calls me to the care
Of Providence
Whose birds
Sing lauds.

© Randall Edwards 2021.This poem is for Christ’s church. If it is helpful, please feel free to copy or reprint in church bulletins, read aloud, or repost. I only ask that an attribution be cited to myself (Randall Edwards) and this blog (backwardmutters.com). Thank you.