It is a truth universally acknowledged

That an empty day must be in want of a task

That an empty heart must be in want of love,

And an empty mind must be in want of a diversion.

Sitting in the quiet, hearing birds and bugs, and

Waiting for a breeze to ripple through the leaves

Of the trees and grass,

I can be still. The gentle snore of the dog, tired

From watching the squirrel watching the birds

Pulls me into now. The hum of a small plane

Pricks up our ears, and yet we stay still. Not yet

Time to do, time to say, time to think, time to plan.

Just still. I would set my alarm for this, but the dog

Knows this is the best part of our day, and wakes me

Urgently, pawing every morning for us to start the day by stopping

To listen and watch and be still.