Standing There

Photo: (c) Jamie K. Reaser

I happened to be standing there.

Initially, it didn’t seem like a particularly

special moment or a special place, although

there is something special about everything

and everyone, it’s just that some people

keep what is most special secret. I know.

But, there I was, making one of those

silent prayers that you make in the woods

because it’s your cathedral and there it came,

wide wings low across the trail and whoosh

to the toe of my boot, big, dark saucer-eyes

looking up, straight into mine, locked for an

eternity-second. There was blood on the

tip of its beak. Interesting, I thought. Without

words, it said, “I claim you.” And, that was that.

Some prayer was answered. I’m not sure

which one. Maybe, it was all of them.

~ Jamie K. Reaser

Published in "Conversations with Mary: Words of Attention and Devotion"

Winner of the Nautilus Book Award silver medal for poetry

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