Lessons in Wholeness

lessons in wholeness from a one-eyed eagle and a three-legged wolf

Author's Note

with graceful precision
she dives
confidently soaring up
her prey squirming
futilely in her talons
her chicks will eat well
this day

surefooted
she glides across
frozen tundra
zeroing in on her prey
slashing with ivory fangs
at quivering hamstrings
her pack will feast
this night

ladies of the primordial
in the wilderness of Yukon
One Eye and Three Legs
They know not lack
One Eye and Three Legs
They know no limitations
they do not see empty shadows
the void of what was once there
they see only the wholeness
the truth of who they are
One Eye
gazing from on high
missing nary a fish
or hare
Three Legs—ready
fully capable
of chasing down the swiftest
of reign deer

An eagle—a wolf
living their lives in fullness
what care they?
for an eye?...for a leg?
they still possess
all abilities all tools
keys of life of living

oh that we
given the same advantages
could live in that same wholeness
given these same challenges
could see…the fullness…not the void

Reviews

[L.Edward]

Food for thought that one. Animals wouldn't bear the same kind of social stigma that humans tend to fuss about. Reminds me of a stone deaf dog that my friend used to have. It was actually the smartest dog I'd ever met. Its intelligence evolved to cope in splendid style. It never missed a beat.