-->“Hold fast to your dreams,
For without them,
Life is a broken winged bird,
That cannot fly.”

Langston Hughes


I was once again traveling due west
Arriving at the river just about sunset
My timing could not have been better
It was one of most magical moments yet

The sun displayed a brilliant red hue
A slight chill permeated the prairie sky
An extremely ancient and awesome ritual
Was now unfolding, right in front of my eyes

Their numbers had been increasing now by the hour
They had all been flocking to this place now, for days
The air and water were echoing with their vibrant calls
As the sun began sinking, I witnessed a magical display

Thousands of them began circling all around my head
As they so gracefully began swooping in for the night
What an exhilarating, life affirming, magical experience
That very quickly filled my weary human soul, with delight

I stood silently out there now, completely transfixed
Beholding yet another marvelous wonder of the world
For me, a truly a magical moment in both time and place
And as it has for countless eons - all around me it unfurled

I had journeyed here, to the placid banks of the Platte River
To watch an amazing spring ritual that’s occurred for centuries
The magnificent sandhill cranes and other birds were migrating north
And observing them here now, truly filled my heart and soul with glee

These wondrous birds would now spend several weeks here on the river
Resting, feasting, dancing, and preparing to fly north, as they always do
And this edifying ancient ritual provided so free of charge by the Creator
Had again worked its magic, quickly ridding me of my modern day blues

I spent the entire glorious evening, perched on that muddy river bank
Marveling at yet another ancient wonder, that so many take for granted
And, as I slowly drove off at the very first light of a wondrous new dawn
I wondered if mankind will ever appreciate the natural magic on our planet


©Spring 2014, Mr. Ed