The Morning Hours

by

Anna McDonald

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"Oh, how I hate to get up in the morning"
Is not the song I sing
When I open my eyes in the morning
I see outside my bedroom window
The sun's rays shining
On the big elm tree
And a song of thankfulness enters in.

That big elm tree
Is an inspiration to me
Each day it continues to grow and change
          unnoticeably
Winter:       bare boughs revel the beauty of its network
                 of entwined branches
Spring:       budding leaves proclaim new life has begun
Summer:    covered with leaves
                 the branches now are for nesting birds
Autumn:     leaves golden yellow
                 it is getting ready for winter's rest.

My elm tree in the morning
Makes me know life must go on
Even when my heart is grieving
It reminds me to be thankful for life itself.

The morning hour
A new day
A day in which I may choose
How to leave my mark on time
And know it will leave its mark on me.

Now down I go for breakfast
Essential for bodily nourishment
And with it I take my spiritual nourishment
My silent time of meditation.

The morning hour
A precious gift of time.

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