That perches in the soul—
And sings the tune without the words—
And never stops—at all—" Emily Dickinson
They're back. Hope with feathers. It took about four or five days, but slowly the birds returned. Each day I walked outside and called for them. "Birds." One morning, after I called to them, three finches flitted down from the bushes onto the short retaining wall in the yard. They pecked at the food I'd laid out for them, but they were skittish. The least movement and they were gone.
The next day, I woke up early, sat up to look in the yard and saw that the doves had returned. And I mean they showed up. I counted 15 doves, and the finches came too, and the phoebe who'd made herself scarce as well, and the hummingbirds too. They all came back. Yesterday there were at least 20 doves in the yard - I couldn't get an accurate count...the finches share well with the doves - they're busy everyday now. All of the birds startle easily now, but they don't fly from the tree where they perch waiting for me to finish putting out their seed. They stand like sentries, all alert and anxious. As soon as I walk into the house they flutter down to the feeders and wall, gobbling up the tasty morsels.
Birds, all birds, have long had the power to shape my experience. Small birds touch me with their sweet little bodies, so fragile-seeming, but they dance with purpose. Their chatter sings in my heart.
I have a special place in my heart for doves. The coo of a dove can stop me in my tracks. I could hear a dove over a brass band. They center me and gently stir my soul like some ancient memory...
Dove is a sacred bird in many traditions. They are sacred to the Goddess Athena, representing the renewal of life. They are messengers of hope and the promise peace. Dove is the spirit of Life that flutters into our lives assuring us of the presence of Love amidst sorrow and loss, providing stillness and serenity, awakening in us embracing Love.
When 20 plus doves show up in my yard after a surprising absence, I can only respond with deep gratitude and love...
Thanksgiving blessings...
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