every morning

now

early

my day’s salvation

becomes

an hour’s start

on a semi-deserted

country trail..

often, i share this

trek

with

an occasional

 bike person

a breathless runner

or two

and an old woman

who speedwalks past

me

every time…

i make the requisite

eye contact

mumble a ‘mornin’

and continue on

breathing the air

digging the zen

of this solitude

listening for rustling

in the bushes

and watching the sun

make its mark through

the trees

this morning ritual

creates the template

for the day…

today, doves

whisked their brood

to the other side

of the path..

a rabbit

a feral kitten

and the sudden sun

around the bend

hoped for my distraction

and got it…