I took the time to thank Debby, again,
For carefully placing the Bee and Enterprise Record
On our doorstep—she is an early riser
and likes doing it.
She was planting flowers next to her front door.
I paused to listen to the cries
Of the red-shouldered hawk twins
In the top of the Tulip Poplar
In our neighbor’s backyard.
A long narrow puddle on the road
Reflected the bright-blue sky.
I wondered how Muggins, our Boston terrier,
Could not just sniff but
Wind himself around a holly bush
And remain unstuck.
I noticed a tiny spider
Flying an impossibly long strand of web
When she drifted out of the shadows
of the trees.
Renee, a frail cancer survivor,
Was putting out pots of red geraniums
Next to her garage.
She said she was late getting them out.
I told her I had missed them.
I said they were beautiful
And at the same time thought
That her tremulous smile
Was far lovelier.
Even though the sunlight had
penetrated my bones
And made me smile,
I was happy to get home,
To walk though my front door
one more time
To Claudia
and banana toast with blueberries
And strawberries and walnuts.
Thank You, Lord, for a taste of heaven,
For Sabbath morning walks.
Amen.
Andrew Hanson writes from Chico, California.
