Sparrow Song
Watercolor on Paper by Roderick MacIver

The Song Of The White-Throated Sparrow

The crystal clear notes
of a white-throated sparrow
floated down through the trees today.
And then a mile further up the trail, another.
The first songs to come my way
in the spring forest.

I like winter,
when white covers the earth.
I like summer
when the woods are green and warm.
But I love the wild forest
when things are changing.

Now, the first week of spring.
Still some patches of snow linger
in the shade under the big trees.
The air warms then cools then warms
in the bright sun.
Trees with swollen buds, waiting.
The first birds are back.
Their songs celebrate what is
about to come.

We humans know four seasons.
I wonder how many seasons
the inhabitants of these woods know.
Maybe fifty-two.
Maybe each week is a new season
for those who go about their routine
deep in the woods.

The long, hard winter is over.
New life will soon fill these woods.
A flood of green, bird song, wildflowers.
And the white-throated sparrow
sings its song anticipating
the change to come.

In celebration of the Great Mystery of Life,

Roderick W. MacIver

from "A Pause for Beauty"

About Heron Dance:  http://www.herondance.org/category.aspx?Category_ID=2&

Heron Dance explores the beauty and mystery of the natural world with art and words. Heron Dance began in 1995 as a simple little newsletter with big heart and love for life. Over the years it has evolved into a full color journal published twice a year. In 2003 we added our weekly e-newsletter A Pause for Beauty.

Add This Entry To Your CureZone Favorites!