My Journey

I realized that my walk had to end

Because I had used all the time I had

And needed to return to my car

To hurry back for my nearly weekly Sunday breakfast

With the two old friends I affectionately refer to as my fellow Jamokes.

But instead my pace slowed as I unconsciously raised the value

Of these last few steps.

I noticed the red cardinal fluttering around me and tried to catch him resting,

As they sometimes do, on a nearby branch.

I thought I have enough time to get one more special photo.

But the cardinal went from one barely visible spot in the brush to another,

Depriving me of my last thrill.

But the effort was a last minute thrill of its own,

And then the finches ushered me off the path,

Weaving their flight, two or three of them,

In front of me, alternating sides,

Reminding me,

That even now,

At the end of the path,

I am still worthy of a parade celebrating my journey.