Spiritual Direction

Saturday, February 7, 2026

First of the Year


The cardinal's spring whistle 
echoes at dawn
across snow crusted fields
laced with heart shaped hoof prints

Bright eyed titmice flit
through cold stiffened branches
their two-note descant
disputing winter's reign

A scurrying grey squirrel
disappears into the hollow mulberry tree
mouth full of leaves
to cushion its nest

The light is changing
Winter does not last
forever