Remembrance

Out hiking on one August day, a small grey falcon with me stayed

the whole length of my walk that day.

Flitting on from branch to tree, it stayed one step ahead of me.

Uncanny as the notion seemed, just to keep me company!

It waited ’til I stepped below each place it rested, then would go

ahead to watch and wait for me, out of sheer comradery.

I was feeling sad that day, remembering someone far away.

Perhaps she knew. I cannot say what led that angel of the trees

to drop her love notes on the breeze to reach my heart

and lend it ease.

Whatever providential hand guided her, I’ll always be

grateful to the little bird who, on that day, was kind to me.