It’s always round about now
that I really start to miss them –
the squirrels
the chipmunks
the bunnies
the dove –
their fluffy, chestnut tails bounding about
through the emerald grasses of spring,
the quick, black stripes disappearing into the brush
that I barely catch with the side of my eye,
the long jack-rabbit ears
twitching like nervous antennas as I pass on by,
and the coo,
ah,
the coo of prayer from the dove
that joins me in silence each morning.
Yes, round about now
I really start to miss them,
long for them, actually…
…knowing their return comes
when it comes
not before,
but knowing it will come
and they will once again
adorn my eyes with jubilance
my face with glowing smiles
my heart with gentle presence
and my ears with melodious peace…

it’s really no wonder I miss them…