Sun broke through the grey morning
clouds with ambitious display of yellows,
that daintily danced on lake waters
like a ballerina practicing pirouettes.

Mockingbird greeted the sun
with songs stolen like a brazen thief
from other forest birds, as a grey
squirrel lay splat on a tree branch
in awe of the performance.

Flight of white pelicans veed their way
overhead, heading for the coast
where they'd spend their day
dazzling beachgoers with their
skimming of the shore crashing waves.

Old man, with cup of steaming chamomile
observed it all, alone,
since the passing of his beloved,
steeling himself against the reality
of another day with demons
of regret over words unsaid,
hoping the new day might
portend hope and forgiveness.