Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Five Forty Five This Morning



Had Buddy not sat up beside the bed
Had he not, in my hesitation, placed his paw on my outstretched arm
Had he not then followed me half asleep down the morning hall
Had he not led me outside where we stood on the porch together
We might have missed it
Its large cat body striding silently in shadow past the not yet blooming lilacs
Yes, some days are like that
You have to get out of bed before sunrise
Or you might miss the thing you asked for
The thing you're meant to see
Moving through the world with certainty and grace.





A photograph of my Buddy, keeping watch for the return of the lynx ...

20 comments:

  1. Pre-dawn possibilities are limitless. Thanks for the beautiful reminder.

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  2. I read with baited breath, Teresa, and finished with an audible sigh. What wonder and grace awaited you at the cusp of day, and how magically your poetry showed to me, as well. You have been waiting patiently to see this "large cat body" - and, with your Buddy at your side, did. Amazing.

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    1. This world is a beautiful place, full of mystery and wonder ... what a fine way to begin a new day ... Thank you so much, Penny.

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  3. I can imagine you and your Buddy stealthily creeping down the hall and out the door to discover "it." Wish I knew what it was -- my thoughts were maybe that large cat you have around your area. Love the darkness in the country -- so much goes on then -- that city folks don't realize.

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    1. At the time we walked down the hall, I had no idea there was any "it" out there... only Buddy seemed to know. I thought he just had to go out earlier than usual ... he must have sensed something. Yes, I believe it had to have been the lynx again ... in the shadows, but could see its body shape clearly ... much too large for any house cat ... :) Many mornings I've seen wildlife just at daybreak ... yes, it's a good time to be up. :)

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  4. Yes, daybreak and dusk, and the canine senses.

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  5. Isn't it always amazing that seemingly second sight dogs have? Maybe other animals too, one of our cats used to always saunter down the path or be sitting there to greet us home every single time we went out. A lynx was it then? Gorgeous animal! Our tabby cat has the lynx tufts up on the top of her ears, the vet says she must have had an ancestor lynx way way back. Oooh how lucky that Buddy sensed it out there so you were able to capture the moment and freeze it into your poem.

    Hugs, thanks for your visit today too.
    Jane

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    1. They are amazing and wonderful beings. I believe we have these same responses, but are so far removed from nature through the artificial, that we forget. I think it can be retrieved through practice and listening to those instincts that are still very much intact once we learn to be discerning and "read" the information we're receiving through our bodies and minds.

      Buddy is the best companion I've ever had: always full of joy, never judgmental or unkind. Love him to bits.

      Have a wonderful day, Jane.

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  6. The rhythm of this is reminiscent of the beat of the natural world. Whether intended or not the pulse is revealing and inspirational. Beautiful that you saw a wild cat, presumably a bobcat, but I have no way of knowing. Paying attention to our canine friends gives us a decided advantage. Learning to respect their keep sense heightens ours. Such a very nice experience and piece of writing!

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    1. Thank you, Bill. I fell into that rhythm with it and knew it was right somehow. Thank you for that. I think it was probably the lynx I saw a few weeks ago. I wrote about it at the time and was hoping for yet another sighting. This makes three sightings now and I couldn't be happier about it.I have much to learn from my Buddy.

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  7. I have a gaelic speaking friend in the Scottish Highlands who has a dog called Eudach (Jelus.) It means watchful in gaelic. Just like Buddy apparently. He looks like a character.

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    1. I love that name! Buddy is the happiest being alive, In swear. And oh so aware. Thanks, tony. I'm off to read my poetry on public radio ... eeeeck ... Have a great day/evening!

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  8. I'm so glad you had another sighting. Truth to tell, this sort of sighting is ever so much better than a full-out encounter at high noon. It perfectly conveys the mystery, the hidden life, of the marvelous lynx.

    And aren't our companions wonderful models of attentiveness and sensitivity? No dogs here, but I've a kitty who can go from sound asleep to fully alert in a flash. I have friends in SoCal whose cats clearly sensed the recent big earthquake before it happened. I simply don't understand people who claim animals don't have these finely-attuned senses.

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    1. Before I went to bed, I thought how nice it would be to have its presence affirmed with another sighting, and there it was ... what a wonderful world it is...

      Yes, our furry friends are fine companions and their awareness an ongoing lesson for me. Thanks, Linda.

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  9. Brilliant, brilliant poem and the photo is too, I am envious of it! Did I say before that I love your header too, I do anyway.....

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    1. Thank you soooo much, Cait. My Buddy has stolen my heart ...

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