POEM BY ED NORTHEN

PHOTO BY JOHN FINNELL

I saunter along the river’s edge

listen to the water flow

over colored stones

when I see a Dipper

standing on a rock

in the middle of the river

flexing its knees

bobbing up and down

almost comically  

until it dives under the water

its stone-colored body

navigating with great skill

the liquid terrain

perusing the rivers bottom

feeding on insects.

Most of the migrating birds

have already departed south

like New Yorkers to Florida

but this resolute bird

will stay the winter

and be my companion

as I take winter walks.

After gathering a meal

he returns to the rock

emits a virtuosic song  

which surprised me

when I heard it arise

from such an unassuming form

instructing me

in the practice

of giving thanks often

with gratitude

for life’s gifts.