Anxiety thinned when the disorder in Ottawa ended. Then came the cautious news that covid restrictions would soon be lifted, and a beautiful day with soaring temperatures reassured me that Spring wasn’t far away.
But dark clouds appeared and cannot be ignored. Russia has invaded Ukraine. I hold my breath and hope for a peaceful resolution as World Powers respond. The high costs of death, destruction and displacement are already being felt. Where will it end? My mind was in turmoil.
In order to redirect my thought and reduce my fear, I have chosen to focus on a frivolous complaint.
A robin hopped up on a branch
And looked me in the eye.
I have a complaint , he tweeted,
There is a wrong that must be righted.
I had seen him many times.
He sang in the morning
And last thing at night,
So why, now, should he complain?
I stopped and wiped my brow,
A question upon my lip.
I asked what I had done,
What is the nature of my wrong?
It’s not just you; it’s everyone.
You say we are cheerful and bright,
But never are chosen for cheery greetings.
It’s always that little British twit.
Do you mean the English robin? I asked
He’s a cute little fellow, you must admit,
And did you know, as I’ve been told,
English postmen were the first ‘redbreasts’.
I did not know, but that’s not the point.
American robins deserve the nod,
Did you know we aren’t even related,
They are flycatchers. We are thrushes,
The most recognized birds in Canada
And in 48 States to the south.
Children delight our nests to find,
Our eggs are robin-egg-beautiful-blue.
So why, I’d like to know, the slight.
For Christmas joy and Easter greetings,
To welcome spring or cheer the weary,
Are English robins always chosen?
I thought on it, but no answer came.
Instead, I did a curtsy and a little bow,
You, proud sir, have made your point,
I shall send a tweet and try set it right.
The world is in turmoil, and it will take more than tweets to set it right. However, I remain optimistic that a solution will be found. I hold my breath and wait for wisdom and peace.
Paths Taken 