Temple Bell
When hawks are circling the field,
I want to make good use
of their piercing cries, imagine
their scree, scree is the ringing
of a temple bell—a call
to presence and gratitude.
A reminder to halt,
go out under the open sky,
take in the magnificence
of this place where we live.
Our time here is much shorter
than we understand.
Some use a rubber band
placed around their wrist
to snap themselves to attention.
Some use an app or a timer.
I prefer the hawks’ summons
to awareness.
The light illuminated through
red tails a flare, a signal
for me to wake up to my life.
