Taking a walk

 on a stunning Northern California winter’s day

a teasing, tantalizing morsel of spring

the sky a flawless blue,

the sun inviting and healing

a day begging for short sleeves and sunglasses

barren tree limbs practically stretching

like purring cats basking on a window seat

I pull down my mask stealing a breath

treasuring this break from reality

seeking to forget the incessant news stream

as our country poises precariously

on an inflection point

haunted by the recent events in the Capitol

will they remain a tear in our fabric

which can never be mended

or can we as a nation unite

striving in common purpose

a time to reflect and pray

for our country

for our future

dangling over a precipice

on a sunny winter’s day