The Dancing Of The Birds Poem by Jim Yerman

It's easy to forget we are but one part of this Earth…forget all the ties that bind us
no matter how often…how every day…the Earth tries so hard to remind us.

The food we eat, the air we breathe…comes from the Earth that surrounds us
Not to mention the magnificence…the wonder and the beauty
that she's created all around us.

If you happen to be near the ocean at sunrise
you're treated to a sight that's difficult to put into words
It is beautiful, rhythmic…and acrobatic…we call it the dancing of the birds.

You see birds standing on the shoreline…you marvel at the amount
hundreds…maybe thousands…far too many for you to count.

Then together, as if on cue, in the glow of the morning's first light
every bird that was, a moment ago, standing…collectively takes flight.

They fly in this wonderful formation
you find yourself mesmerized…in kind of a trance
for it is here you realize they're not flying
but you're witnessing them dance.

I happened to be out on the water as the birds danced right in front of me.
Gracefully they flew up, down and all around…
at times their wings were almost touching the sea.

As the birds all danced around me…as this way and that way I glanced…
I felt blessed at least for that moment…to have been invited to the dance…

And blessed to again be reminded
as into my kayak floated an errant feather
how we are all part of this wonderful Earth
and how we are all meant to dance here together.