In the branches above me,
a bird—cardinal? wren?
I’m not expert enough to say—
sings a lilting tune
and is echoed by a distant bird,
an early morning call and response.
I imagine this network of singers,
this connection between birds
who share the same song,
who hear each other
and answer
above the rush of traffic,
the wind through the trees,
the hum of the jet crossing overhead.
I imagine this stream of song,
stretching like a strand of gossamer,
loose and floating but strong,
crossing the city,
one bird to another.
Could it make its way
around the world?
Could it become a symphony?
I imagine that it does.
I imagine, too, those of us
who share the same song of hope,
who protect deep peace in our hearts,
who honor loving kindness for all,
who pray for peace to blanket the world
but fear that our voices simply sound
like the thin chirps of distant birds.
Still, our gossamer thread is strong.
Does my voice echo yours, I wonder,
or is it the other way around?
As with birds,
who begins the song
and who carries it on
is of no consequence.
What matters is the song
making its wise way through the world
beyond the ruckus of resentment,
above the bite of arrogance.
What matters is that we never stop spreading
the possibility of peace.
Sing on, friends.
Listen to the distant voices
and the near ones,
the clarion carriers
of the call of peace.
Catch that song,
weave it into your voice,
echo its hope,
for somewhere a listening ear waits
to hear that melody,
to send it on
and on
across the world.
– kh –
Nurture peace, cultivate kindness, and carry the calm.
Nature of the week:
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Text and photos © 2023 Karyn Henley. All rights reserved.