i’ve been waking up early

—in time to walk barefoot across the dewy lawn, wet with the sweat of the sun’s hard-won battle against the night’s greed

—in time to see the barred owl who frequents our redbud like a reaper come to collect the squirrels that my neighbor has been fattening with birdseed

—in time to hear the mourning doves cooing their vows and promises of faith and hope and peace drowning out the owl’s omens and interrogations

i’ve been waking up.

— thaddeus moore