I’m surprised this morning
by noticing how much sound
guides me through the seasons.

How the tone of the crickets changes
as we reach late summer
and the sounds of
chickadees
and
titmice
are more present.

My ears listen
for the sounds
of geese on the move

to tell me
that fall is coming
and the days of
insect song
are ending,

dipping us into
the near silence of winter.

Wind and snow and
birdsong in droplets
morning and evening.

I’m surprised this morning
to notice how much
words needed to move
through me
and into the world –

like the season of listening
and gathering ideas
is over
and now words
flow freely.