Sitting out – with crows calling their eerie dawn chorus
from all the tallest treetops, their voices varied in pitch,
some deep and croaky, others higher, smoother, but all
quite dominant, insistent that now is their time.

The lion’s gate opened yesterday, so it’s not
just the crow’s time though – it’s the time of
strong change for all in this world, and the planet itself,
but maybe they know, and are broadcasting the message.

Now the smaller birds gather. first a pair of doves
cavorting in lower branches, but not very seriously,
then several quick chirpy birds of various types
looking for berries in nearby bushes – then quiet.

Just me here on the balcony, and the cat wondering
if it’s safe to go down now for his ablutions.
I encouraged him and he went, soon returning for praise
and a scratch, before settling on a comfy patch.
He keeps watch on the world with his six senses
from up here on the hill overlooking the town.

And now the church bells ring – very softly it seems,
not like their normal clanging, as if they are
only half awake, not wanting to stir others much yet
from their dreams, or motions of normalcy.

I finished the crossword with its witchy clue answers
like ‘seance’, ‘sasquatch, ‘ague’ ‘omen’, and ‘krone’,
and went on to another, which still had ‘jaguar’
for the big cats, and ‘talons’, honouring the larger birds.
By now there was just a soft background of song, mixed with traffic
beginning to go by in the distance, and a few planes high in the sky.

Later i’m sure there will be louder bells, and more signs of humanity
waking – I hope to more than just this day – but also to things happening
in the wider world, and even in space – that are bringing us through⁹
a great positive change – from dark times to light and peace –
as we rearrange ourselves into this new era – as free and sovereign
beings at last, to renew and evolve……. Yes – there ring the loud bells!