A sound of birds singing

 It's early. 

And almost a year since I was here.

I hear a sound of birds singing 

outside my window

and a dog barking down the street.

All the familiar things I love about

this life.

This tender, precious life.

This time last year

when all the church bells were silent

and traffic noise was stilled

the world became a different place.

We all coped in different ways

laughter, tears, hope, fear.

Change. 

2020 we won't forget you.

2021 you brought fresh hope  to

my life through retirement .

Stars from a friend.

New beginnings 

as one door closed

and another opened.

A sound of birds singing.

Hold fast to dreams

For if dreams die

Life is a broken- winged bird

that cannot fly.

Hold fast to dreams

For when dreams go

Life is a barren field

Frozen with snow.

~Langston Hughes