And The Word Went Out

Her worn collar
long faded and stained
used to be hot summer pink with
lime-colored palm trees dancing ‘round

Set against a pale yellow-white coat –
she might as well have been wearing diamonds

Later came the grass and mud, chocolate
(swiped pastry) and a few garden
remnants… over time
each stain became an embedded memory

Maisie owned this house
and us! deer grazed only the wild
(behind the berms) – fox, raccoon, and
neighbors’ cats wisely traveled the perimeter
fish pond? duck, heron and osprey free

This year, wildlife of
every sort abounds at pond’s edge
I wake early to watch (newborn)
fawn find its balance
speak quietly when it draws near
as I scatter pellets across the surface
osprey fly lower and ducks must be chased

This morning
fox stood at water’s edge
contemplating breakfast – magnificently
dressed in winter coat and signature bushy tail
there is a new world order.  watch out, fish!

Christmas heralds a new beginning –
as we wander through difficult and uncertain times
– trust in its promise.