writing – Under A Hen's Wing

E Pluribus Unum
Out of Many.  One.
Many states.
One nation.
Joined together.
creating something stronger
than the individual parts.
Country.

Individuals.
Many hands joined together
to form one long line.
A chain of joined hands
to express unity of belief
that people from all countries,
races, religions are welcome here.
Community.

One bird.
A golden Buff Orpington,
scratches happily for bugs,
secure in the midst of other
roving hens.
Feathers glowing in the sunshine,
protecting each other,
better as one group
than one vulnerable, single member.
Flock.

One cousin.
Joined on the deck steps
by five others,
then mothers, fathers,
uncles, aunts,
grandmas, grandpas
at a holiday celebration.
Family.

One lone drum beat.
A silver flute trills,
woodwind melody,
brass harmony,
batons twirl and flags whirl,
a marching tempo.
Band.

One maple tree.
Rooted deep into the earth,
holding strong against storms.
Roots entwined with many others,
providing shelter, food, oxygen,
sharing nutrients and protection.
Forest.

One drop of water,
becomes a mist, then a drizzle.
Now a downpour, now a stream.
Eroding its banks,
making its own path,
thundering down the valley.
Its voice louder and louder.
Flood.

One teacher,
wearing a mask.
Showing up every day,
no matter how scared, weary
and beaten down.
Custodians, cooks, 
bus drivers, aides, 
principals, students
Working together to learn.
School.

Many states.
One nation.
Joined together,
creating something stronger
than the individual parts.
Country.

Out of Many.  One.
E Pluribus Unum.

And so it begins. Coffee on the left ready for my hand to grip and lift. Notebooks stacked on my right – even a tentative schedule I made last year penciled in. Wondrous new lamp set at just the right angle so the shadow of my hand falls behind the curved signature of my fingers curled around the pen. I am ready to begin again because the only way I can push the darkness back is with my heart and my pen. And so it has always been done.

Outside my window is the grace of snow. Pure white crystal flakes, blue in the moonlight of a nearly full wolf moon. The air is cold. Freezing. And school is on a two hour delay. All is silent awaiting the dawn and the return of the light. First snow of the winter yesterday. We quickly got four inches as the fluffy flakes poured down and piled high for several hours. I marveled again how snow can bring a silence which calms the angry world and covers every muddy corner with a promise. Oh, how I wish that promise would come true.

Yesterday, as night fell on this magical landscape I pulled on my boots and winter coat – no need for a hat or scarf because it was so still and not really cold – just 30 degrees or so. I took a walk under the moon-lit sky. Each branch was lined with a border of snow and the tall pines bordering our meadow wore lacy shawls draped over each evergreen bough. On the sumac tree each berry filled cone wore a conical cap of snow – a whole troupe of jolly elf dancers, frozen in silent time frame. The sky was that blue that only comes on a snowy evening. It has a depth that makes me believe I could dive into it like the ocean.

One lone star lifts it radiance high above the treetops, causing me to pause to repeat the old childhood incantation: “Star light, star bright. First star I’ve seen tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight.” And what do I wish for? Each day my wish list goes longer and longer: Peace. Above all Peace on earth. Peace, please God, peace. Peace in the hearts of all people. Peace like this snowy landscape which causes me and hopefully everyone around me here to pause, take in the beauty and realize how very healing our world can be if we would just Let It Heal and Leave It Alone. Stop playing with war and embrace the blessings of peace.

This is the January page from my new mini Susan Branch calendar. https://www.susanbranch.com/

Faith is the bird that sings within my heart and reminds me to stop wishing so very hard and rest in silence. So in my new beginning, may it be so. May you enjoy quiet moments of reflection and peace in this, the new year.

Tag: writing

ONE Nation: E Pluribus Unum

And So It Begins