Splashing in and out of the water
puddle is a gathering of magpies…more than five.
When I lived alone on the stump ranch in Northern Alberta Canada
I had the magpies to keep me alive.
This morning they are entertaining as they dance
in the wind flying and drying as they go.
In the deep isolation of the ranch in Silver Valley
the magpies sang with me in the early morning.
They gleaned and cleaned on butchering day
danced in the wind every other day.
I loved them and love them now.
Once while living in a seniors independent lodge,
one magpie came every day to the tree by my window.
I called him Huey as his call sounded
so much like my prayer song the HU
HU-a love song to God
The day I had my stroke, Huey was squawking more than usual
…bouncing in and out of the soffits
He told me “Get help, get help, get help.”
I did and am alive today
in part due to his love.
One year and one day after returning from hospital,
there is a magpie party of now more than five
We are all celebrating that I am alive.
Are you celebrating too my friend?
I have several magpies
here I could send on the wind.
