You Know Me

You Know Me

Of course, if you know me,

You know I watch the news.

I read the news.

I love the human interest stories

Of good people,

Devoted parents,

Inventive children,

Brave firefighters,

Rigorous runners,

Delightful dogs.

I lament the pain I see,

The atrocities of war,

The pain of loss

Of all types.

I leave for my walk,

My dog by my side.

I listen for the screech of my

Morning neighborhood hawk,

And the odd cackle of my regular

Red-winged Blackbird

And the sharp, short shrill whistles

Of the red cardinal.

I know I need the news

The good and bad and happy and sad.

But I need this walk

As a reminder that beauty persists

Even in the worst of times.

For some this effort

Was the lifeline to their survival

In truly the worst imaginable times.