The Mourning Dove
copyright March of 2008
Today I stepped outside. The snow was gently falling. I saw her land in the branches of the tree and soon the mourning dove was calling. It made me stop and wonder just what she had to mourn, flying high above the world on the breath of wind, free from chains or thorns.
What was it she called out to? What had she left behind? Was she not free and winged? Why does this bird now cry?
It brought me then to wonder, in my melancholy mood, are we all not mourning doves who sing our own sad tunes?
We live our separated lives and go from year to year, complaining of the things we lost and mourning for deaf ears. Why does the mourning dove now call, I think I understand. She doesn't mourn for just herself. She mourns the course of Man.
Man enters on the world with nought and leaves it just the same. He grieves for all the things he lost and with no thought to what is gained. We live our single, shallow lives and dream of what may come but we never sing a happy tune for the day that's just begun.
A child is born, an old man dies, a child grows up, a widow cries. The things between are left ignored by those to whom the dove implores.
The dove has called, the challenge brought, Will you cherish now or mourn the lost?