she will be there also

where the frogs are singing their highest praises,
and it is the dusk they are singing into gradual midnight,
she will be there also--
bringing the blessing of tears into being
bringing the protection and permission of darkness.

where the cardinal is singing alone,
the highest branches swaying in summer's lilting breeze,
sound dripping like water over a pebble,
liquid sound falling like sweet rain,
she will be there also--
bringing the blessing of self, unaccompanied,
bringing the protection and permission of joyous solitude.

where the lynx lies blinking and waiting,
not a leaf turning to show where it's hunting,
she will be there also--
bringing the blessing of hunting and pouncing,
bringing the protection and permission of following a path to its completion.

where the otter dives and frolics, free and uncaring,
fearless and graceful in freely flowing waters,
she will be there also--
bringing the blessing of body and moving,
bringing the protection and permission of abandoning all bindings.

where the fox stands outlined in sunset,
black-footed and grounded, fur lined by fire,
she will be there also--
bringing the blessing of beauty unharnessed,
bringing the protection and permission of flames and ashes and transformation.

where the bear arises hungry from winter starvation
into new awareness,
she will be there also--
bringing the blessing of new hopes and old rhythms,
bringing the protection and permisison of learning to fill her own hungers.