A clear sky with a chill

Deer foraging, small shoots

of green grass, lingering still

Some settled on ground

in the growing warmth

of the rising sun

But it was quiet

No chatter of squirrels

No stomping of hooves

No birds twittering

Just the sound of footsteps

crunching on gravel

As if waiting for some signal

some reason to speak

some reason to share the day

as the sun crested a rock tower

it began, a small group

of birds hidden in the branches

started to sing, one voice began

more joining in, at first soft

growing in strength with the climbing sun

As if in celebration

of the day of thanks

sharing with humans

who chose to walk and

experience and share with them

A soft yet glorious celebration