BUNNIES AND BEAVERS (Wildlife not Wild Life)

If you get up early and go down by the river before the joggers and dog walkers

you will be a witness to the best part of the day. Cottontails breakfast in the soft shadows. New grass is food and a screen from intruders.

If you go too near, they gather and unfold across the path

and melt into the briers.

Spring makes the river big and busy. The water splashes and sparkles in the low light.

And plays in the mud along the banks.

A loud SMACK on the water announces the presence of a beaver.

He is built for work, not beauty.

Trees along the river

show evidence of his labors.

He's aware of intruders, but has sticks to ferry

to his latest project.

You wish you had more time to soak up the peace of the morning. The road returns you to reality.