Well before the birth of a new day

I’m walking under a gunmetal coloured sky

the path through this wooded lot well worn

centuries of dead leaves long turned into soil

layered thick under my boots

in the shelter of these trees

I’m free from my grief

this place is my church

worship is possible here

a quick flash of red up ahead

followed by the sweetest sound

a cardinal perched above

calls this sinner to lauds

the sky slowly lightens

bathing me in new light

freeing me from the sorrow

that only the long nights bring

I feel fully awake

and joy stirs in my heart