December 24, 2023

The only moment that matters

December 24, 2023

It’s December 24th.
I’m out for my daily walk at dusk.
The niggling currents of air
playing with my hair and the last of the brittle brown leaves
are cold and tinged with the scent of wood smoke
and the iron taste of rain-sleet
blowing in from the west.

The near full moon
is hoisting its mottled white body
into the vaulted sky,
soaking everything around it in watery white.
It’s the perfect time of day for owls,
but my mind is far from raptors and moon glow.

I made the mistake of checking the news
and tumbled head first
down the rabbit hole of dismay,
arriving concussed and bloodied and bruised
at the end of my rope,
at the end of a day that was
supposed to be about hope.

The Barred owls begin their pillow talk
at the forested boundary between here and there.
On one side, empty buildings with glassy eyes.
On the other, a deserted playground
where the creak of swings and chain-link clatter
of basketballs missing hoops
can still be heard if you listen
without ears.

I march into the trees and startle deer.
They bound away, the whites of their tails
telegraphing their annoyance.
I stop to let the silence settle.
The owls resume their repartee,
tossing affirmations back and forth
in and out of time,
recalling themselves,
recalling me,
to the pleasure of being present
in the only moment that matters. - JB

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I am wishing each of you a holiday full of moments like the one I experienced today. Whether or not owls are involved, please take a few moments to really “be” with an animal in your life - to let them remind you of who they know you to be.

I am sending love, light, and a virtual hug your way.

Jena